Immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine in children with sickle cell disease.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety and immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine in children with sickle cell disease.


METHODS
Prospective, nonrandomized, nonblinded study.


METHODS
Hospital-based, comprehensive sickle cell center.


METHODS
Children with sickle cell disease aged 18 months to 18 years who were previously unvaccinated or had an inadequate or waning response to H influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine.


METHODS
Consecutive eligible patients.


METHODS
Vaccination and observation for adverse effects. Blood samples were taken before and 1 to 2 and 6 months after vaccination to measure anticapsular antibody levels.


RESULTS
Vaccination was well tolerated. One hundred percent and 96% of the 31 immunized children had postvaccination anticapsular antibody concentrations of greater than 0.15 and 1.0 mg/L, respectively. Six months after vaccination, 100% and 89% of children had these antibody concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
H influenzae type b conjugate vaccines are safe and highly immunogenic in children with sickle cell disease. It is likely that these vaccines will be protective against invasive H influenzae type b disease.
Rubin
L G
LG
Department of Pediatrics, Schneider Children's Hospital of Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY 11042.
Voulalas
D
D
Carmody
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; C052180:Haemophilus influenzae type b-polysaccharide vaccine-diphtheria toxoid conjugate; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; C061963:HibTITER protein, Haemophilus influenzae