Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) is transmitted through coughing or sneezing. Moisture containing the Hib bacterium sprays from the mouth or nasal passage and infects others. Typically, the disease only affects children under the age of five. Most commonly, infants and toddlers are more apt to contract Hib.

Hib is proven to cause meningitis. Meningitis is then able to create many infections from pneumonia to a swollen epiglottis to infections in the blood stream. Young children who are infected can have breathing difficulties, blindness, deafness, reduced mental capabilities, and more. If the disease transgresses, it can lead to death.

The disease was easily spread in daycare and preschool settings leading to an increased push to find a vaccine that eliminated the bacterial infection. Developed in 1980s and used regularly since 1990, the vaccine has proven to be 99% effective in stopping the spread of this bacterial infection.

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