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Two or more doses of Hib vaccine effective against disease
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Two or more doses of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine are highly effective, even with varying schedules, according to recent study results published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.
“Hib causes an estimated 371,000 deaths and more than 8 million cases of severe disease annually,” researchers wrote. “Currently used conjugate Hib vaccines are immunogenic and clinically effective. The Expanded Programme on Immunization recommended three primary doses of Hib conjugate vaccine administered with [diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine], starting at 6 weeks of age, with 4 to 8 weeks between doses.”
The study included 31 observational studies that evaluated effectiveness of conjugate Hib vaccines administered according to different schedules.
Using the meta-analysis of case-control studies, researchers found using community controls, 55% (95% CI, 2-80; based on three studies) vaccine effectiveness against Hib meningitis, 96% (95% CI, 86-99, 3 studies), and 96% (95% CI, 86-99; 4 studies) after one, two and three doses of vaccines other than combined liquid Hib, respectively. Vaccine effectiveness against invasive Hib was 59% (95% CI, 30-76; 3 studies) and 97% (95% CI, 87-97; 3 studies) for one and three doses, respectively.
“At least two doses of Hib vaccine are required to achieve high effectiveness (e.g., >85%), particularly for vaccines other than [combined liquid Hib],” researchers wrote. “A booster dose may be beneficial but further data on the level and duration of immunity following primary vaccination, and one the effect of boosters at different times, would be helpful to optimize the timing of a booster.”
Disclosure: The study was funded in part by WHO. The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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