title: Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine (meningococcal protein conjugate) (PedvaxHIB): clinical evaluation.
abstract: Although systemic infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b occur worldwide, detailed epidemiologic data are available in but a few countries. The public health impact of morbidity, mortality, and serious sequelae from disease caused by H influenzae type b has stimulated the search for control strategies. In the United States now, active immunoprophylaxis is largely favored over treatment of prophylaxis with antibiotics. This preference stems from three major observations: that high mortality and morbidity persist despite the availability of potent antimicrobial agents, that antibiotic-resistant strains of H influenzae type b have emerged, and that implementation of antimicrobial prophylaxis on a large scale has been unsatisfactory. Moreover, universal vaccination has been projected as offering a higher economic benefit than other control strategies. A matter of more proximate importance, however, is the search for H influenzae type b vaccines that will confer protection to all age groups, including infants younger than 18 months of age and subpopulations specifically at risk for invasive disease caused by H influenzae type b. Haemophilus b conjugate vaccine (meningococcal protein conjugate), PedvaxHIB (PRP-OMPC), is a conjugate H influenzae type b vaccine developed at Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories that now is undergoing extensive clinical evaluation to assess its prospects for disease control when first administered in early infancy. This is an interim report of results obtained in studies conducted in diverse locations throughout the United States.
authors.affiliation: Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, West Point, PA 19486.
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Ahonkhai
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Lukacs
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Jonas
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Vella
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Staub
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Rusk
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Calandra
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; C061964:Haemophilus influenzae-type b polysaccharide-Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane protein conjugate vaccine; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial