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.
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(12).
Title of Article: Impact of the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine in an urban setting in southern India
Author(s): Fitzwater SP, Ramachandran P, Kahn GD et al.
Publication Year: 2019
Publication Name: Vaccine
Publication Volume: 37(12)
Publication Source URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30772069/
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.01.080
Topics: Health
Disease Vaccines: Haemophilus lnfluenzae type b (Hib)
Countries: India
WHO Regions: South-East Asia