Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines in children.
Prevention of invasive infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria has become possible with new vaccines. Covalent coupling to a protein carrier increases the immunogenicity of Hib capsular polysaccharide, and changes it to a T-cell dependent antigen. In clinical use, the conjugate vaccines are immunogenic in infancy, induce immunologic memory, and protect efficiently from invasive infections. They even seem to reduce oropharyngeal carriage of Hib bacteria. Wide-scale use of Hib conjugate vaccines has demonstrated their safety and low reactogenicity. Studies to combine them with other childhood vaccines are in progress. First signs of reduction of severe Hib infections can already be seen in countries where Hib conjugate vaccines are in wide use.
Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
J
J
Eskola
A K
AK
Takala
H
H
Käyhty
D016667:Bacterial Capsules; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D002353:Carrier State; D002648:Child; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; C055753:Haemophilus influenza type b polysaccharide vaccine-tetanus toxin conjugate; C044237:Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine; C052180:Haemophilus influenzae type b-polysaccharide vaccine-diphtheria toxoid conjugate; C061964:Haemophilus influenzae-type b polysaccharide-Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane protein conjugate vaccine; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; C061963:HibTITER protein, Haemophilus influenzae