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3 May 2003, Volume 361, Issue 9368 Pages 1523-1524 |
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Antibody to Haemophilus
influenzae type b after routine and catch-up vaccination
C L Trotter
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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. |
Affiliations
a Immunisation Division,
Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Health Protection Agency, 61 Colindale
Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK.
b Immunoassay Laboratory,
Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Health Protection Agency, Porton
Down, Salisbury, UK.
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Correspondence to: Caroline L Trotter
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Source |
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Elsevier Science Inc. |
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© 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd |
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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
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OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
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YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
