Title : Ten years of Hib vaccination in Tunisia: Epidemiological trends and emerging challenges
Abstract:
In Tunisia, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) was a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children under five years old prior to the introduction of the Hib vaccine in 2002. This retrospective study assesses the impact of Hib vaccination on the epidemiology of invasive and respiratory infections in both children and adults over the past decade. Data were collected from Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital in Monastir, encompassing admissions for community-acquired respiratory infections (CARI) from 2002 to 2013. The study also includes microbiological analyses from the Children's Hospital of Tunis between 2013 and 2023. Findings indicate a significant decline in Hib-related diseases following the reintroduction of the pentavalent vaccine in 2011, with a 99% reduction in Hib pneumonia admissions among vaccinated children. However, non-typable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) strains have emerged as predominant pathogens, exhibiting concerning antibiotic resistance patterns. These results underscore the success of the Hib vaccination program in reducing disease burden but highlight the need for ongoing surveillance and adaptation of vaccination strategies to address evolving epidemiological challenges.
