Reduction of meningitis and impact on under-5 pneumonia after introducing the Hib vaccine in the Kingdom of Tonga

Abstract

Aims: To document the impact of Hib vaccine on Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) invasive disease, meningitis and inpatient pneumonia in children under 5 in the Kingdom of Tonga. Methods: Cases of meningitis and pneumonia were sourced from the paediatric discharge book from 1 January 2000 to 2 November 2007 and from computerised discharge records from Vaoila Hospital on the island of Tongatapu where approximately 70% of the total population resides. Laboratory-confirmed cases were sourced from the microbiology laboratory register over the same period. Results: Prior to the introduction of Hib vaccine in 2005, there were, on average, 5.6 cases of invasive Hi disease per year. In the 22 months after..