Another Vaccine Success Story
Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) is a bacterium (gram-negative coccobacillus) that can enter the body through the respiratory tract and is a common cause of infections such as otitis media (ear infection). In some cases it can enter the blood stream and travel to other parts of the body where it can cause meningitis and pneumonia. It can also spread locally to the epiglottis where it can cause severe swelling resulting in obstruction of the trachea, the tube through which air passes to the lungs. Obviously, all of these infections caused by Hib can result in serious illness with significant morbidity and mortality. Infants and children under the age of five years are particularly susceptible to infections caused by Haemophilus Influenzae. The Hib vaccine which protects against Haemophilus Influenzae Type B infections has been available since the 1980s and the results have been impressive. The incidence of disease caused by Haemophilus Influenzae has decreased by 99% in children under five years of age in the United States since introduction of the Hib vaccine. This is another stunning public health success story and emphasizes the value of vaccines and the importance of having children vaccinated against these potentially serious infectious diseases.