[Impact of vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b in Cuba].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of mass vaccination in Cuba of children under 2 years of age against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), the most common causative pathogen of bacterial meningitis.


METHODS
The availability of effective Hib conjugate vaccines led to a nationwide vaccination program in 1999 targeting all children under 2 years of age, with a 97% coverage rate achieved. To assess the program's impact, data from 1998 and 1999 from the National Bacterial Meningitis Reporting System were used.


RESULTS
Vaccination efficacy was estimated at 99%. The overall incidence of Hib meningitis declined 46.1%, from 1.3 to 0.6 cases per 100,000 population. The greatest overall reduction, of 56.1%, occurred among children under 5 years of age. Among children under 1 year of age, the reduction was 70.5%, and among the rest of the age groups of children under 5, incidence decreased between 25.9% and 49.6%. In the group targeted for vaccination, incidence decreased 61.1%. Among children in the target group who contracted Hib meningitis, only 8 cases (24.2%) had been vaccinated, most with a single dose applied 1 month before becoming ill.


CONCLUSIONS
Hib vaccination of all children under 2 years of age in Cuba greatly reduced the incidence of Hib meningitis, as measured by the National Bacterial Meningitis Reporting System.
Dickinson
F O
FO
Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí, La Habana, Cuba.
Pérez
A E
AE
Galindo
M A
MA
Quintana
I
I
D003462:Cuba; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019741:Haemophilus influenzae type b; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011159:Population Surveillance
D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines