IngentaConnect Haemophilus Influenzae Type B: The Burden in Asia

Authors: Clemens, John; Kilgore, Paul

Source: Vaccines. Preventing Disease and Protecting Health, Vaccines. Preventing Disease and Protecting Health , pp. 75-78(4)

Publisher: Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Abstract:

While there are many possible reasons why Hib conjugate vaccines have not penetrated public health programs for the poor in Asia, one major contributor to this situation is the widespread perception among clinicians and public health policy professionals in the countries of this region that the burden of invasive Hib disease is low in infants and children. Thus, it remains for policymakers in Asia to be convinced of a high disease burden, since even if Hib conjugate vaccines are made available free of charge in the short run via the Vaccine Fund, it seems likely that procurement of these moderately expensive vaccines will have to be sustained partly by scarce local financial resources in the long run. Therefore, the economic argument for using Hib conjugate vaccines in Asia depends largely on the resources to be saved by the prevention of Hib disease, and the economic justification for the vaccines' use hinges on the existence of a high disease burden. This is a chapter included in Vaccines. Preventing Disease and Protecting Health, a book that celebrates the ways in which vaccines have played a role in improving the health of the world's populations.

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