Hib vaccine as an adult?

[Amy2091]

At my recent resp appointment my overall immune system was checked as I seem to pick up everything and everything - including those things that are rare to get as adults, obviously some of these illnesses affect my asthma quite bad, other things are just regular utis, hand, foot and mouth.. any "illness" really - not just resp related.

I just have some questions!

Anyway, most of the results came back ok - I'm not sure what exactly is tested all together but my Hib count has come back very low. I am now waiting for a letter to make an appointment for the vaccine with my GP prior to a re test. I just feel so confused, this is usually given at babies routine vaccines, to my knowledge I also would have received this as a baby too.

Why do I need this? How will this help me personally.. have you had it? If so why and what did it help? Will it magically boost my immune system or what..?

[twinkly29]

Mine was low so they gave me a booster then and there in clinic. Then retested a few months later to check level had gone up.

[Amy2091 in reply to twinkly29]

Did it make any difference to you personally? How was not being immune effecting you?

I'm hoping it will go up and be normal as I'm sure she said my Measles was fine (I had a vaccine 8 years ago for that after having kids so it's obviously doing is job within me lol).

I just don't understand how this one vaccine would boost my immune system overall, as I'm sure she said if it goes up after a retest then it means I'm fine, only worried of it doesn't?

I've never heard of it really and there doesn't seem to be much online in regards to adults to figure it out.

[twinkly29 in reply to Amy2091]

It's because low hib and pneumococcal antibodies mean you're more susceptible to respiratory infections.

[Amy2091 in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you, makes sense.

[Poobah]

Sensible course of action given the circumstances.

[Hidden]

I had the HIB vaccine along with a second Pneumonia jab about 5 years ago, aged 64.