Vaccine-Induced Waning of Haemophilus influenzae Empyema and Meningitis, Angola

Abstract

In Angola during 2003–2012, we detected Haemophilus influenzae in 18% of 2,634 and 26% of 2,996 bacteriologically positive pleural or cerebrospinal fluid samples, respectively, from children. After vaccination launch in 2006, H. influenzae empyema declined by 83% and meningitis by 86%. Severe H. influenzae pneumonia and meningitis are preventable by vaccination.

Keywords

• Haemophilus influenzae
• Africa
• empyema
• pneumonia
• meningitis
• bacteria