Foresight in medicine: current challenges with Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines

J Intern Med. 2010 Mar;267(3):241-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2009.02182.x.

Abstract

An effective vaccine to prevent invasive infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria has been available for more than 20 years. Hib conjugate vaccine is safe, efficacious and easy to use, and its cost-benefit ratio is high both in industrialized as well as in developing countries. In spite of this, WHO estimates that every year approximately 8 million children contract life-threatening Haemophilus infections, especially meningitis or severe pneumonia. If we want to take seriously the Millenium Development Goal of reducing the mortality of under 5-year-old children by two-thirds before the year 2015, an effective means to contribute to this would be more efficient use of Hib vaccines.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Capsules / administration & dosage*
  • Bacterial Capsules / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Global Health
  • Haemophilus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Haemophilus Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Haemophilus Vaccines / immunology
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunization Programs / organization & administration
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / prevention & control
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / economics
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Haemophilus Vaccines
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine
  • Vaccines, Conjugate