Hib Vaccine Could Reduce Major Childhood Diseases

by Lois Privor-Dumm

(February 2006)

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) is a bacterium that causes severe pneumonia, meningitis, and other life-threatening conditions in children under age 5. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that Hib disease annually causes an estimated 3 million cases of serious illness and 400,000 deaths, most commonly from pneumonia.1 Children often carry Hib bacteria in the nose and throat without showing any signs of illness, and spread the bacteria to others through close contact, coughing, or sneezing.

A safe and effective vaccine to prevent Hib disease has been available for over 15 years. In more developed countries, where this vaccine is routinely used, Hib disease has been virtually eliminated. Similar results have been seen in less developed countries where the Hib vaccine has been introduced in routine childhood immunizations, such as The Gambia ...

The full article is available here:- http://www.prb.org/HIB