Childhood meningitis falls by 70%
The introduction of the Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine to the childhood immunisation schedule has resulted in a dramatic drop in the number of children hospitalised with meningitis.
An analysis of hospital records for children aged under 2 years in Western Australia has found admission rates for meningitis have dropped by more than 70 per cent between 1992 and 2000.
The research by Dr Deborah Lehmann and Hannah Moore at The Kids for Child Health Research is published in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA).
Dr Lehmann said the results confirmed the value of the vaccination program.
"Meningitis is a devastating infection that can prove fatal or leave survivors facing life-long disabilities," Dr Lehmann said. "These results show that the funding invested in these vaccination programs bring significant and long term benefits."
The researchers said the analysis also showed that while the incidence of meningitis in Aboriginal children remained higher than the general population, the disparity in the rates had reduced.
Ms Moore said the researchers would continue to monitor admissions for meningitis, with an expectation that there will be further declines.
"We have yet to assess the impact of the recent introduction of vaccines against some meningococcal and pneumococcal strains, but are looking forward to seeing those results," Ms Moore said. "Clearly what we've already seen is a major reduction in one of the most serious infections affecting young children."