Vaccination with Haemophilus influenzae type b meningococcal protein conjugate vaccine reduces oropharyngeal carriage of Haemophilus influenzae type b among American Indian children

摘要

The effect ofHaemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib) meningococcal protein conjugale vaccine (Hib-OMPC; Merck, Sharp amp; Dohme) on oropharyngeal (OP) carriage of Hib was evaluated in Navajo and Apache Indian children, who are known to be at high risk for invasive Hib disease. We obtained 1423 OP swabs at well child visits from 1321 children 3 months to 4 years of age: 293 of the swabs were obtained from children before the administration of any Hib-OMPC; 1119 were taken after the primary vaccination series; and 11 after the booster dose. Swabs were tested for the presence of Hib capsular polysaccharide antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Forty of 1423 swabs were positive for Hib. Among the 40 positive swabs 5 (13percnt;) were obtained from children who