Monitoring the uptake of Hib vaccine in Forth Valley

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among young children in this country. Immunisation against the disease using protein conjugate Hib vaccine was introduced in the United Kingdom on 1 October 1992. To monitor the impact of this new vaccine in the routine childhood immunisation schedule in Forth Valley Health Board area, a survey of the parents of 200 children born during August 1992 was carried out. A total of 163 (82%) parents responded. While most parents had heard of Hib vaccine or of diseases caused by Hib, specific gaps in their knowledge were noted. In particular a substantial minority (31%) were not aware of the role of Hib vaccine in preventing meningitis. Among health professionals who advised parents on immunisation, the most important group identified by parents were health visitors, followed by family doctors. Leaflets produced by the Health Education Board for Scotland also formed an important and valuable source of information for parents, as did television, radio and newspapers. Monitoring the uptake of Hib vaccine in the sample of 200 children revealed a high uptake of the three recommended doses (96%), with only one child receiving no immunisations at all. If this level of uptake is achieved in other areas then the full potential of the new Hib vaccine in preventing infection among young children will be considerable.