Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination and reported atopic disorders in 8-12-year-old children

Because Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination was added recently to most vaccination programs, no conclusive data on the relationship with atopic disorders are yet available. We sought to assess the risk of atopic disorders at ages 8-12 years associated with Hib vaccination in the first year of life, in addition to diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-inactivated poliomyelitis vaccination (DTP-IPV) and other childhood vaccinations. Parents of 1,201 children attending Orthodox Reformed (Protestant) primary schools in The Netherlands returned questionnaires reporting data on vaccination status, atopic symptoms and physician-diagnosed lifetime atopic disorders (asthma, hay fever, eczema, and food allergy), and possible confounders. This study was conducted within the framework of a larger study on the relationship between the DTP-IPV and reported atopic disorders. The adjusted odds ratio of any atopic disorder (Hib-vaccinated/unvaccinated) was 1.09 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.79-1.50). For asthma, hay fever, eczema, and food allergy, the results were, respectively, 0.89 (95% CI, 0.55-1.43), 0.94 (95% CI, 0.47-1.90), 1.09 (95% CI, 0.75-1.58), and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.38-1.19). In conclusion, in the Dutch population, there is no indication for a higher risk of reported physician-diagnosed atopic disorders at primary schools age after Hib vaccination in the first year of life, in addition to other vaccinations.