Bacterial meningitis
Effective vaccines exist against H. influenzae type b and some serogroups of N. meningitidis and S. pneumoniae.
H. Influenzae Type B Vaccine
Several Hib conjugate vaccines are available, all of which are effective in early infancy. Hib vaccine prevents meningitis, pneumonia, epiglottis and other diseases caused by H. influenzae but will not protect against these diseases if they are caused by other agents.
Hib vaccine is often given as a combination vaccine, such as diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-inactivated poliovirus-Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate (DTPa-IPV-Hib), in order to reduce the number of injections the child receives. Hib vaccine is normally given in two or three doses, depending on the vaccine used. In the UK, children are immunised aged 2, 3 and 4 months followed by a booster dose aged 12 months1. Hib vaccine is given intramuscularly into the outer mid-thigh of infants or the outer upper arm of children.
Hib vaccine is very safe and there are no known serious reactions to this vaccine, although mild reactions (such as redness, swelling or mild pain at the injection site) may occur.
The introduction of routine Hib vaccinations has dramatically reduced the incidence of Hib disease. In addition to preventing invasive disease, vaccination reduces nasal colonisation by H. influenzae and so confers herd immunity, thereby protecting individuals that have not been immunised.
Reference:
1. NHS. A guide to childhood immunisations for babies up to 13 months of age. Available at: http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/files/275774_Babies.pdf. (Accessed April 2007)
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