PREVENTION OF SYSTEMIC INFECTIONS, ESPECIALLY MENINGITIS, CAUSED BY HAEMOPHILUS-INFLUENZAE TYPE-B - IMPACT ON PUBLIC-HEALTH AND IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER POLYSACCHARIDE-BASED VACCINES

The development of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vacci nes has led to the virtual elimination of systemic infections caused b y that patnogen, has provided insights into the pathogenesis of and im munity to other capsulated bacteria, and has contributed to the develo pment of new vaccines, Meningitis, a common and serious infection of c hildren, and other infections caused by Hib have been virtually elimin ated in countries that have achieved widespread vaccination with Hib c onjugates, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ic eland, Scandinavia, France, and Germany. Hib conjugates have also been shown to be highly effective in developing countries, The principles derived from the use of these vaccines, along with studies of other ca psulated pathogens, should allow the rapid inclusion of new polysaccha ride-based conjugates into routine vaccination schedules of infants, a nd should help to realize further reductions in serious systemic infec tious diseases.