Dr. Lara Johnson has a scar on her neck, a constant reminder of a scary experience with a vaccine-preventable illness. At just 4 years old, she fell seriously ill from Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), a harmful bacteria.
Hib infection attacked her epiglottis, blocking her airway and making it hard for her to swallow. She remembers the panic: “I felt like I was choking.” Johnson was rushed to Covenant Children’s Hospital in Texas, where doctors performed an emergency tracheostomy to help her breathe. Luckily, antibiotics healed her, but she was among many who suffered before the Hib vaccine became available in 1987.
In the years before the vaccine, about 20,000 children in the U.S. faced severe Hib infections annually, often leading to brain damage or death. The CDC reported that around 1,000 children died each year from Hib. Thankfully, vaccinations changed the game: cases dropped to nearly zero.
However, a concerning trend is emerging. Recent data shows vaccine coverage for Hib among infants decreased slightly, from 78.8% in 2019 to 77.6% in 2021. This decline raises alarms, especially since many parents today have never witnessed the dangers of Hib firsthand.
Dr. Leisha Nolen, Utah’s state epidemiologist, is worried about a potential resurgence of Hib. “As vaccinations drop, we might see more cases,” she said, referencing a recent outbreak of measles that emphasizes the risk posed by vaccine hesitancy.
The CDC continues to monitor Hib cases, but reports tend to lag. As of March 2023, the CDC had recorded only eight cases this year. However, pediatricians are noting an increase in serious Hib infections. Dr. Kathryn Edwards from Vanderbilt University treated two cases of Hib-related meningitis recently, a rarity before.
Moreover, Dr. Eehab Kenawy of Panama City shared a tragic story of a 4-month-old who died from Hib after being unvaccinated. “Now I’m hearing about it again,” he mentioned, highlighting the urgency of vaccinations.
Despite its name, Hib doesn’t cause influenza. It can live harmlessly in the throat but can also lead to severe infections, including meningitis. Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician, recalls having to perform up to three spinal taps a night due to Hib before the vaccine became available. Today, most pediatric residents never see such cases.
The CDC recommends a series of three to four Hib vaccinations for children under five. Studies show these shots are over 93% effective at preventing Hib. Yet, a 2025 NBC News investigation found that childhood vaccination rates overall have fallen in 77% of U.S. counties since 2019.
Parents expressing hesitation about vaccines are increasing. Dr. Rana Alissa from the American Academy of Pediatrics noted, “The number of those hesitant has soared.” Influencers like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have further fueled skepticism around vaccines, which poses a significant threat to public health.
Ashlee Dahlberg knows this pain all too well. She lost her 8-year-old son, Liam, to Hib last April. He showed initial signs of illness after school, but by the time Ashlee rushed him to the hospital, it was too late. The infection turned into bacterial meningitis, and his brain sustained irreversible damage.
Ashlee speaks out now, urging others to vaccinate. “I don’t want my youngest to endure similar struggles,” she says. “What’s a mild illness for one child could be severe for another.”
The reality is clear: without robust vaccination, we risk a return to the dangers of diseases once controlled by vaccines. Vaccines work, and their decline can reverse years of hard-won progress in protecting children’s health.
For more information on vaccine effectiveness, check the CDC’s guidelines here.
