Strategies for immunization against invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infection

Available data on the immunogenicity, safety and efficacy of Hib conjugate vaccines are encouraging and the prospects for having a means to control invasive Hib disease are good. Most of the third generation Hib vaccines seem to prevent invasive Hib disease at a level of efficacy that motivates worldwide mass immunization of infants. The peak incidence of Hib meningitis occurs before the age of 1 year in most industrialized countries and the most desirable time to start vaccination against Hib is at 2-3 months of age. In many countries a Hib conjugate vaccine may ideally be coordinated with the DTP immunization programme. In non-industrialized countries the peak incidence of Hib meningitis occurs earlier than in industrialized countries, which means that in these areas immunization against Hib meningitis should start earlier, for instance at 6 weeks when the first DTP vaccine injection is given in many countries.