When Ashlee Dahlberg’s 8-year-old son, Liam, came home from school complaining of a headache, it seemed like nothing more than a routine childhood illness. But by the next morning, her worst nightmare began to unfold.
Liam was nearly unresponsive. The family rushed him to the hospital, where doctors made a devastating discovery: Liam’s brain and spinal cord were overwhelmed by a rare bacterial infection called Haemophilus influenzae type B, or Hib.
Although Liam had been fully vaccinated, the infection had progressed rapidly—developing into fatal meningitis within hours.
“At that point, there was nothing they could do,” Ashlee told WHTR, an Indianapolis news station. “Most people who catch this die within 24 hours.”
How Could This Happen?
Hib is not the flu, despite what its name might suggest. It’s a fast-acting bacterial infection that primarily targets young children. Before the Hib vaccine became widely available in the mid-1980s, it was one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in children under five.
In Liam’s case, doctors believe he may have caught the infection from an unvaccinated child—a growing concern as childhood vaccination rates decline across the United States.
Ashlee, still reeling from the loss, recounted the agonizing moment she was told there was nothing more the hospital could do.
“They did everything — MRI, tests — and found the bacteria had already spread across his brain and spine,” she said. “I laid there with him as they took him off life support. I felt his little heartbeat fade away.”
A Mother’s Grief Becomes a Mission
Haunted by what happened, Ashlee is now using her voice to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination.
“There are no words for this kind of pain,” she said. “I feel like I failed my son, even though we did everything right.”
She’s urging parents not to take chances.
“Please, vaccinate your children. I don’t want any other parent to live through what we have.”
Dr. Eric Yancy, a pediatrician, confirms the stakes are high. Before the Hib vaccine, the infection was a leading cause of death and disability in young children.
“It was absolutely devastating,” he said. “Even if the child survived, many were left with permanent damage.”
The Power—and Limits—of Vaccination
The Hib vaccine is roughly 95% effective, but like many vaccines, its protection doesn’t extend to those who remain unvaccinated. In other words, if enough people skip the shot, it gives the bacteria more opportunities to spread—even to children who are vaccinated.
That’s why public health experts stress the importance of community (or “herd”) immunity.
Globally, Hib vaccination rates vary. By 2023, 92% of children in developed nations were vaccinated, compared to 77% worldwide. In some regions, rates are dramatically lower, due in part to cost—Hib vaccines are about seven times more expensive than the combined cost of vaccines for measles, polio, tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
Remembering Liam
A GoFundMe campaign set up by the family has raised more than $54,000 to help with medical and funeral expenses. The page describes Liam as a “bright, smart, and joyful little boy whose smile lit up every room.”
Ashlee also posted a heart-wrenching video of Liam during his final hours, his small body wracked with pain.
“He was kind. He was sweet. He touched everyone he met,” the family wrote.
Ashlee’s message is clear: vaccines save lives. And sometimes, doing “everything right” isn’t enough if others around you don’t.
“This didn’t have to happen,” she said. “But it did. And I just want Liam’s story to help save someone else’s child.”
