Doctors Warn of Resurgence in Deadly Childhood Illness

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections could make a comeback as vaccination rates decline.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:05pm

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An extreme close-up X-ray photograph revealing the intricate internal structure of Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria, conceptually illustrating the potential resurgence of this serious childhood illness.As vaccination rates decline, a deadly bacterial infection that primarily affects young children could be making an unwelcome comeback.NYC Today

Experts are sounding the alarm about a potentially deadly vaccine-preventable disease that primarily affects young children. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections, which can cause severe illnesses like meningitis and pneumonia, are making a comeback as vaccination rates have declined in recent years. Doctors who have been trained in the past 40 years say they haven't seen cases of Hib in a long time, raising concerns that the disease could spread rapidly if vaccination coverage continues to drop.

Why it matters

Prior to the Hib vaccine becoming widely available in 1987, the illness resulted in nearly 20,000 children affected per year, with 1,000 deaths annually. While vaccination rates have generally been high, they have started to decline, with the percentage of babies receiving the full Hib vaccine series falling from 78.8% in 2019 to 77.6% in 2021. As more parents opt out of vaccinating their children and states roll back school vaccine mandates, experts warn Hib could be the next preventable disease to make a dangerous comeback.

The details

Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects children under 5 years old. It can cause a range of illnesses from mild ear infections to severe and potentially fatal conditions like meningitis, pneumonia, and epiglottitis. Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. While the Hib vaccine has been very effective at preventing the disease, with a 93% or higher success rate, vaccination rates have been declining in recent years, raising concerns among doctors who say they haven't seen Hib cases in decades.

  • In 2019, the Hib vaccination rate for babies was 78.8%.
  • In 2021, the Hib vaccination rate for babies dropped to 77.6%.
  • As of March 21, 2026, the CDC had logged 8 Hib cases so far this year.

The players

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

A highly contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects children under 5 years old and can cause severe illnesses like meningitis and pneumonia.

Dr. Eehab Kenawy

A pediatrician in Florida who says he hasn't seen Hib cases in years but is now starting to hear about them again.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The U.S. federal health agency that tracks disease outbreaks and vaccination rates.

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What they’re saying

“I'd never seen a case of Hib for years and years. Now I'm hearing about it.”

— Dr. Eehab Kenawy, Pediatrician

“We have to start thinking about these things as a differential diagnosis in our workup. It puts us in a situation where we may have to do more close observation, possibly more admissions, maybe some unnecessary workup at times. It's the changing world of medicine.”

— Dr. Eehab Kenawy, Pediatrician

What’s next

Doctors and public health officials will continue to monitor Hib cases and vaccination rates closely to determine if further action is needed to prevent a wider outbreak.

The takeaway

The potential resurgence of Hib highlights the importance of maintaining high childhood vaccination rates to protect vulnerable populations from serious, preventable diseases. As vaccination hesitancy grows, this case serves as a warning that hard-won medical progress can quickly be reversed.