DOI: 10.1097/01.inf.0000350905.10912.ea
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Issn Print: 0891-3668
Publication Date: 2009/05/01
The Pediatric Infectous Disease Journal® Newsletter: May 2009
John D. Nelson; George H. McCracken
Excerpt
In the March 2009 Newsletter we mentioned 5 cases of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections that occurred in 2008 in Minnesota. On March 18, 2009 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA reported that there had been an additional 5 cases reported from Philadelphia, PA with two deaths. All of the Philadelphia cases occurred since October 2008 and were unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. These 10 cases are vivid reminders of the severity of invasive Hib diseases and the importance of complete immunization against this organism. Since December 2007 there has been a nationwide shortage of Hib vaccine resulting in under-immunization of an unknown number of infants and children. The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics have strongly recommended that the primary series of 3 doses be given at 2 month intervals in infancy as a means to reduce nasopharyngeal colonization and invasive disease. The booster dose at 12 to 15 months should be deferred except in high risk patients. The shortage is unfortunate because it is the booster dose that ensures systemic immunity and reduces the likelihood of colonization in early childhood.
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