The UK Hib vaccine experience

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Abstract
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is an important pathogen in children Haemophilus influenzae disease and enabled important conclusions to be drawn. These include high vaccine effectiveness, the presence of herd immunity, and the frequency of risk factors in cases of vaccine failure and in cases of invasive disease due to non-b H influenzae. Parallel studies have shown the immunogenicity, induction of immunological memory, and persistence of immunity following vaccination at the UK schedule, as well as measuring the impact of vaccination on pharyngeal Hib carriage. Cases continue to occur and complacency is ill advised, particularly as other vaccines and combinations are introduced. Surveillance of H influenzae disease in the UK remains important.