DHAKA--28 Jun--PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest
of Life-Threatening Pneumonia and Meningitis
- Study Shows Hib Vaccine Could Prevent About 1/3 of Life-Threatening
Cases of Bacterial Pneumonia, the Leading Infectious Cause of Death in
Asian Children
- Findings Confirm Burden of Hib Pneumonia and Meningitis Grossly
Underestimated in Asia
- More Asian Countries now Planning Introduction of Hib Vaccine, Others
Still Considering This Option
A new study from Bangladesh published online today in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal shows that routinely vaccinating infants against H. influenzae type b (Hib), a bacterium that causes deadly Hib pneumonia and meningitis, could save hundreds of thousands of children in Asia. Results showed that routine immunization of infants with a Hib conjugate vaccine
Although countries in Asia with high mortality rates have long known that pneumonia and meningitis are a significant concern, many assumed that Hib was not a major cause. This vaccine study builds the evidence of the real burden of Hib pneumonia and meningitis as has been shown in other studies in Chile and Indonesia, that is that the proportion of pneumonia and meningitis prevented by the Hib conjugate vaccine is significantly higher than what can be detected through routine surveillance.
"There has been an ongoing disagreement about the total burden of Hib pneumonia and meningitis in Asia, but our findings provide evidence challenging the commonly held notion that these diseases are rare in Asia," said Dr Abdullah Baqui, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA. "Our research shows that routine Hib vaccination is a
"Bangladesh views Hib vaccine as an integral tool in our mission to improve child survival in Bangladesh," said Dr. Md. Abdul Quader Mian, Deputy Director EPI and Programme Manager Child Health & LCC, Ministry of Health, Bangladesh. This study supports the conclusion of the consultative workshop organized in June 2006 by WHO around the introduction of the Hib vaccine into Bangladesh.
The study was conducted by researchers from International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B), Dhaka Shishu Hospital and John Hopkins University. The vaccine used in the study replaced the routine diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine with a DTP-Hib combination. The combination vaccine did not require additional injections or visits to benefit
Despite a growing body of evidence, only 26% of the world's children live in countries with access to Hib vaccine. This means hundreds of thousands of children in Asian countries are currently not benefiting from this simple, life-saving vaccine. However, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bhutan have reviewed available evidence and made the decision to introduce Hib
"We are delighted that so many Asian countries are preparing to introduce the Hib vaccine and protect their children against Hib pneumonia and Hib meningitis" said Julian Lob-Levyt, Executive Secretary of the GAVI Alliance. "This is a clear indication of these governments' commitment to reduce child mortality."
The WHO recommends that all countries adopt Hib vaccine into routine child immunization programs. They estimate that Hib globally is responsible for 400,000 deaths each year in children under five years of age and around 3 million cases of serious illness resulting in long term consequences such as deafness, learning disabilities, paralysis and mental retardation.
"This simple, life-saving vaccine can prevent Hib pneumonia and meningitis in children, often called the 'invisible cause of forgotten child killers' in Asia," said Dr. Kent R. Hill, Assistant Administrator, Global Health. "Immunization programs, including Hib, are an essential component of USAID's strategy to prevent life-threatening childhood infections. These data are clear
-- Hib vaccine is an important addition to immunization programs through out Asia. Supply studies tell us quality manufacturers from developing countries are coming into the market very soon and prices for this vaccine will be coming down in the very near future. Now is the time for additional Asian countries to make this important addition to the EPI programs. I commend the GAVI Alliance and the countries of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bhutan for moving quickly to reduce needless Hib related child deaths.
children aged less than two years in Dhaka.
compared with controls, children with similar characteristics who did
not have these diseases
season and distance; each case was also matched with two hospital
controls
determine vaccine effectiveness
vaccine in preventing bacterial meningitis and X-ray confirmed
pneumonia
methodology; all Hib meningitis and probable bacterial meningitis were
confirmed by laboratory tests
and hospital controls respectively, was 34% and 44%
and hospital controls was 89% and 93% respectively
Hospitals' Research and Ethics Committees.
of the Government of Bangladesh, Asian Development Bank, the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National
Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) of the USA. Technical assistance was
provided by WHO.
Hib Pneumonia and Hib Meningitis
The Hib bacterium is the leading cause of meningitis in children and one of two major causes of severe childhood bacterial pneumonia. Pneumonia and meningitis caused by other bacteria such as pneumococcus and meningococcus (which causes meningitis only) will not be prevented by Hib vaccine, but vaccines for these diseases will be available in the near future.
For further information on the study partners, Hib pneumonia and meningitis or to arrange an interview with an expert, please contact:
CONTACT: Dr. Serguei Diorditsa
Medical Officer
Immunization and Vaccine Development
World Health Organization Bangladesh
Office: +880 2 989 95 40
Email: [email protected]
Lois Privor-Dumm,
MIBS Director,
Communications Strategy
The Hib Initiative
Mobile: +1-484-354-8054
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.hibaction.org
Ruth Landy
Senior Programme Officer,
Advocacy & Communications
The GAVI Alliance
Mobile: +41-79-336-3031
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.gavialliance.org
Georgina Pinnington
Ruder Finn Communications
Office: +44-20-7462-8932
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE: The Hib Initiative
CONTACT: Dr. Serguei Diorditsa,
Medical Officer,
Immunization and Vaccine Development,
World Health Organization Bangladesh,
Office: +880-2-989-95-40,
Email: [email protected] ;
Lois Privor-Dumm,
MIBS,
Director,
Communications Strategy,
Mobile: +1-484-354-8054,
Email: [email protected] ,
of The Hib Initiative; or
Ruth Landy,
Senior Programme Officer,
Advocacy & Communications,
Mobile: +41-79-336-3031,
Email: [email protected] ,
of The GAVI Alliance; or
Georgina Pinnington,
Office: +44-20-7462-8932,
Email: [email protected] ,
of Ruder Finn Communications
Web site: http://www.hibaction.org
http://www.gavialliance.org
--Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--
? Every year, over a million children, below the age of 5, die or are disabled by pneumonia and meningitis caused by pneumococcal infections[1][2]. ? Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus, is the number one vaccine-preventable killer of children worldwide. It can cause pneumonia and meningitis. It has also been responsible for the majority of influenza-related deaths during the influenza pandemic outbreaks that occurred in the U.S. in 1918, 1957 and 1968 ? Pediatricians strongly