0P-S2-4
GLOBAL EXPERIENCE WITH HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B
(HIB) CONJUGATE VACCINES
Levine OS
National Institute for Allergy and Infectious
Diseases, Respiratory Diseases Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
Globally, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) is the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia deaths. These deaths and illnesses are now preventable by the routine use of Hib conjugate vaccines. These vaccines have proven their safety, efficacy, and programmatic effectiveness in a wide variety of international settings and regimens. In several countries has led to a near elimination of Hib as a cause of childhood meningitis. The experience with these vaccines in the various regions, schedules and formulations will be reviewed. Special attention will be given to the situation in the Asian region regarding the introduction and routine use of Hib conjugate vaccines.