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Description:
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Papua New Guinea started immunising children in April with a vaccine that promises to rid the nation of Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib disease, one of the deadliest causes of meningitis and pneumonia.
An Australian contribution of US$20 million through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI Alliance) between 2006 and 2009 has greatly increased the Alliance’s ability to accelerate and scale up global efforts against Hib.
The PNG campaign follows a highly successful movement in other parts of the world to combat Hib. A recent WHO study shows that Uganda, one of the first GAVI-eligible countries to implement a widespread Hib vaccination programme, saw a nearly 100 percent drop in Hib meningitis as a result. Similar success has been achieved in Bangladesh, Kenya, Chile, the Gambia, among others. Studies show that Hib vaccine cuts the incidence of disease by 88% or more within 3 to 5 years. |
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