The Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccination booster campaign targeting children aged six months to four years has resulted in a dramatic reduction in cases of invasive Hib, according to a report from Health Protection Agency staff. Hib is a major worldwide cause of childhood meningitis,

From 1999, the number of Hib cases increased in all age groups, particularly in children under five years. Reasons for this included a decline in indirect protection, a decline in vaccine effectiveness in children vaccinated in infancy, and a temporary change in the Hib vaccine combination offered to young infants. As a result, a Hib vaccination booster campaign was conducted in 2003, targeting children from six months to four years of age.

The campaign resulted in a dramatic reduction in cases within 12 months, and was followed by a reduction in cases among older children and adults. Since the campaign, there has been an increase in the number of Hib cases among one- to three-year old children, primarily in children too young to be vaccinated during the booster campaign. This group of children are being targeted in the pre-school catch-up programme that began in September 2007.

Ladhani S, Slack MP, Heys M, White J, Ramsay ME. Fall in Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) disease following implementation of a booster campaign. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2008; 93(8): 665-9.