Related Experiment Videos
Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines
P J Kniskern1, S Marburg, R W Ellis
1Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, USA.
Insights
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines are highly effective in children and infants. Widespread use has led to a 95% decrease in Hib disease incidence since 1993.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a significant cause of invasive disease in young children.
- Hib conjugate vaccines have been developed to prevent Hib infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the immunogenicity and efficacy of Hib conjugate vaccines.
- To assess the impact of Hib conjugate vaccines on disease incidence.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Hib conjugate vaccines.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on Hib disease incidence before and after vaccine introduction.
Main Results:
- Hib conjugate vaccines (HbOC, PRP-OMPC, PRP-T) are highly immunogenic and efficacious in infants from 2 months of age.
- A 95% decline in Hib disease incidence in children under 5 was observed between 1987 and 1993, coinciding with vaccine use.
- Hib vaccines are recommended for infant immunization globally.
Conclusions:
- Hib conjugate vaccines have dramatically reduced the incidence of Hib disease.
- Continued vaccination may lead to the eradication or significant control of Hib disease, similar to other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Abstract:
In summary, all of the Hib conjugate vaccines are highly immunogenic and efficacious in children older than 12-15 months of age, and HbOC, PRP-OMPC, and PRP-T are highly immunogenic and demonstrated to be efficacious in infants as young as 2 months old. HbOC, PRP-OMPC, and PRP-T have been licensed in numerous countries for infants and are recommended for infant immunization. However, perhaps the greatest tribute one can pay to all four Hib vaccines described in this review is to note the dramatic decrease in the incidence of Hib disease that has occurred since their introduction. In fact, according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (March 4, 1994), the incidence of Hib disease in children less than 5 years old has declined by 95% from 41 cases per 100,000 in 1987 to 2 cases per 100,000 in 1993, timing that coincides with the availability and use of the Hib conjugate vaccines (Anderson, 1994). As universal administration is achieved and the apparent vaccine-induced reduction in carriage of Hib by the population continues, Hib vaccines may follow the lead of past vaccines (such as smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, and polio) toward eradication of disease or at least a high degree of medical control, thereby virtually eliminating the mortality and insidious morbidity associated with invasive Hib diseases.