Hib/Men C vaccine

The Hib/Men C vaccine is a single injection given to one-year-old babies to boost their protection against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningitis C.

Hib and meningitis C infections are serious and potentially fatal. They can both cause meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

Who should have the Hib/Men C vaccine?

The Hib/Men C vaccine is offered to all babies when they are one-year-old as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.

Read more about when your baby should have the Hib/Men C vaccine.

Why is the Hib/Men C vaccine needed?

The vaccine boosts the protection your baby has already gained from their first course of Hib vaccine which they received in the 5-in-1 vaccine at 8, 12 and 16 weeks old, and begins their protection against meningitis C.

How safe is the Hib/Men C vaccine?

The Hib/Men C vaccine is very safe. It's inactivated which means it doesn't contain any live organisms so there is no risk of your baby catching the diseases against which it protects. The vaccine also has few side effects.

The brand name of the Hib/Men C vaccine given in the UK is Menitorix.

Read the patient information leaflet (PIL) for Menitorix (PDF, 104kb).

Read more about the Hib/Men C vaccine side effects.

How effective is the Hib/Men C vaccine?

The Hib/Men C booster is highly effective and protects children when they are most vulnerable to these diseases. Rates of Hib and Men C disease in the UK are now at their lowest-ever levels as a result of vaccination.

How does the Hib/Men C vaccine work?

The Hib/Men C vaccine contains bits of the bacteria that cause the diseases it protects against.

If your child comes into contact with these germs, the antibodies their body produces after vaccination will fight the infection to stop the disease taking hold.

Read answers to parents' common questions about the Hib/Men C vaccine.