Rising incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in England and Wales indicates a need for a second catch-up vaccination campaign.
The incidence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in the UK fell rapidly following the introduction of routine vaccination in 1992 and the implementation of a catch-up campaign in children under 4 years old in 1992-93. However, since 1999 the number of cases of Hib has been increasing, and in 2002 there were 134 cases in 0-4 year olds (266 in all ages). While still much less than the prevaccine burden of disease (over 800 cases a year in 0-4 year olds), this increase in incidence is worrying and has sparked a range of detailed investigations. In February 2003, the Department of Health announced a second catch-up campaign offering all children between 6 months and 4 years a further dose of Hib vaccine. The epidemiology of Hib disease in England and Wales between 1990 and 2002 is reviewed here to provide a context for this public health response.
Health Protection Agency, Immunisation Division, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ. caroline.trotter@hpa.org.uk
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D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019741:Haemophilus influenzae type b / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines