摘要：The status of Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) disease and its prevention by vaccination was reviewed forthe period 1997 to 2000. This forms the background to a change in national vaccine policy, from the use oftwo Hib vaccines to the use of PRP-OMP only throughout Australia from May 2000. Notifications of Hibin the 7-year period between 1993 and 2000 declined by 87 per cent among children 0–4 years of age;adjustment for likely under-reporting increase this to a 95 per cent reduction. Among age groups notincluded in the immunisation program, there was also a substantial decline in notified cases. Overall, aminimum 430 cases and 13 deaths were prevented by Hib immunisation annually in Australia. EnhancedHib surveillance recorded 532 cases over seven years, with 353 in unvaccinated persons, 74 fulfillingcriteria for true vaccine failure and 75 partially immunised. Of unvaccinated cases, 60 and 182 wereeligible for routine and catch-up immunisation respectively. Although the overall incidence for 0–4 yearsof age declined from 15 to 1.2 cases per 100,000 population, the proportion of cases under six months ofage increased from 11 per cent to 23 per cent. Overall vaccine effectiveness, estimated using data fromthe last five years of the program, was 83 per cent (95% CI 71–91%), increasing to 90 per cent (95% CI83–94%) when adjusted for under-reporting to the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register.Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the incidence of invasive Hib disease fell from 4.6cases per 100,000 population to 0.7 cases per 100,000 population but the proportion of cases nowoccurring among Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people increased significantly, from 7 to 15 percent. The Hib immunisation program in Australia has been highly successful. Nevertheless, experience inAustralia and elsewhere indicates that continued careful monitoring of Hib disease, with high qualitylaboratory surveillance, remains important
