NEED FOR PREVENTION OF INVASIVE HAEMOPHILUS-INFLUENZAE TYPE-B INFECTIONS IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Based on a retrospective study of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) diseases in Geneva from 1976 to 1989, we analysed the need for prevention of invasive Hib infections by vaccination in Geneva, Switzerland. The overall incidence rate among children younger than 5 years of age was 60.2/100 000 population but it was 121.5/100 000 and 92.1/100 000 in 1988 and 1989 respectively, indicating a statistically significant increase of invasive Hib infections during the study period. Of patients, 41.5% had meningitis, 36.6% epiglottitis and 21.9% had other forms of Hib infections. The occurrence was 2.1% in children under 3 months of age and 92.3% in children younger than 5 years of age. From 1984, > 21% of all new isolates were beta-lactamase-producing Hib strains. From 1976 to 1989, two children (1.1%) died from epiglottitis and 12 children with meningitis (15.8%) developed serious neurological deficits. These data emphasize the need for prevention of invasive Hib infections by vaccination in all infants in Geneva.