Influenza Vaccination Guidelines and Vaccine Sales in Southeast Asia: 2008-2011

10.1371/journal.pone.0052842PLoS ONE712e5284

Prospective population-based incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in Thailand

C1 - Journal Articles RefereedThere are limited prospective data for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in Asia, where some countries are considering vaccine introduction. A prospective population-based study was conducted to measure the incidence of Hib meningitis in children in two northern provinces of Thailand. Children <5 years with symptoms consistent with bacterial meningitis were enrolled in the study if inclusion criteria were met. The study enrolled 598 children with clinical meningitis, 76% of whom received lumbar puncture. The rate of probable bacterial meningitis was 26.6/100,000 children <5 years per year. There were four cases of laboratory confirmed Hib meningitis (rate 3.8/100,000 children <5 years per year). These findings suggest a relatively low incidence of Hib meningitis. However, additional data from studies of pneumonia are needed to define the Hib disease burden in Thailand