Publication

Impact of the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine in an urban setting in Southern India

Authored by:

Fitzwater SP, Ramachandran P, Kahn GD et al.

Full Citation:

Fitzwater SP, Ramachandran P, Kahn GD et al. 2019. Impact of the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine in an urban setting in Southern India. Vaccine. 37.

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Additional key concepts from this publication:

Immunization can help protect unimmunized children, adults and the elderly through herd effects.

Key Evidence: In a major children’s hospital in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, meningitis cases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in children under two years declined by 79% within two years of the introduction of Hib vaccine. This decline was greater than expected given a vaccination coverage of ~70% for one dose of the vaccine and much greater than expected with a 53% coverage rate for three doses. This suggests that the vaccine protected unvaccinated children through herd immunity.