Changing socioeconomic risk factors for invasive H. influenzae disease after the introduction of conjugate vaccine.
OBJECTIVE
To determine socioeconomic risk factors for invasive Haemophilus influenzae (HI) disease before and after the introduction of HI type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine in the West Midlands, UK.


METHODS
Study population consisted of children aged <5 years with laboratory confirmed invasive disease. Linear associations between disease rates and socioeconomic variables were examined 2-years before and 2-years after the introduction of conjugate vaccine.


RESULTS
Pre-vaccine there were no trends in disease incidence. Post-vaccine there was an absolute reduction in disease incidence and significant disease differentials between affluent and deprived populations were identified for non-owner-occupancy (P=0.032) and car access (P=0.049).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that changes in socioeconomic risk factor for invasive HI occurred after the introduction of conjugate vaccine. This may have implications for future immunisation strategies.
Olowokure
B
B
Section of Child Health, School of Postgraduate Medicine, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. bolowokure@phls.org.uk
Spencer
N J
NJ
Hawker
J I
JI
Blair
I
I
Smith
R L
RL
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology
D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate