Can an infant receive the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar 13) on the same day?

Hib and Prevnar Can Be Given on the Same Day

Yes, infants can and should receive the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine and Prevnar 13 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) on the same day. This is standard practice in routine pediatric immunization schedules and is explicitly supported by CDC guidelines and FDA labeling. 1, 2

Guideline Support for Simultaneous Administration

• The CDC recommends that Hib and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines be administered concomitantly at 2,4, and 6 months of age as part of the routine infant immunization schedule. 1

• The FDA label for Prevnar 13 explicitly states that in clinical trials with infants and toddlers, Prevnar 13 was administered concomitantly with Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccines (both ActHIB/PRP-T and PedvaxHIB/PRP-OMP) for multiple doses without safety concerns. 2

• The ACIP has long established that Hib conjugate vaccines can be given simultaneously with pneumococcal vaccines, and large prelicensure and postlicensure studies have demonstrated the safety and immunogenicity of this practice. 3

Administration Requirements

• When both vaccines are given on the same day, they must be administered:

  • With different syringes 3, 2
  • At different injection sites 3, 2
  • Via the intramuscular route 3, 1

• Never mix Prevnar 13 with other vaccines/products in the same syringe. 2

Immunogenicity Evidence

• Multiple high-quality studies confirm non-interference between pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and Hib vaccines when given concomitantly. Research shows that immune responses to both vaccines remain adequate when administered together. 4, 5, 6

• One study found that concomitant administration of PCV7 with MMR, varicella, and Hib vaccines at 12-15 months demonstrated noninferior immune responses compared to sequential administration, with >90% seroconversion rates for all antigens. 4

• A 2012 study of PCV13 given with Hib-containing vaccines (DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib) showed that ≥96.6% of subjects achieved prespecified immune response levels to each antigen, confirming no clinically significant interference. 5

Safety Profile

• Local reactions are typically mild and may be slightly more common when multiple vaccines are given, but systemic adverse events do not significantly increase with concomitant administration. 7

• The combination vaccine DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB (Vaxelis) was specifically tested with pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, and concomitant administration did not affect safety profiles at measured endpoints. 3

Common Clinical Pitfall

• Do not delay either vaccine due to concerns about giving them together—simultaneous administration is preferred to ensure timely protection against both Hib and pneumococcal disease, which pose the greatest risk to infants under 2 years of age. 1