Abstract
Since 1999, the number of cases of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in the UK has risen. We investigated the role of population immunity in this change by testing more than 2600 serum samples from children aged 1-15 years. After the introduction of the routine Hib conjugate vaccination programme for infants, median antibody titres rose significantly in 1-year-olds. Individuals who received their first dose of vaccine at age 1-4 years in the original catch-up campaign initially had much higher concentrations of antibody than those who had been immunised in infancy. A second catch-up campaign in children aged 6 months to 4 years should be highly effective in boosting immunity and reducing disease in the short term.
Translated title of the contribution | Antibody to Haemophilus influenzae type b after routine and catch-up vaccination |
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Original language | English |
Pages (from-to) | 1523 - 1524 |
Number of pages | 2 |
Journal | Lancet |
Volume | 361 (9368) |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 3 May 2003 |