Haemophilus b disease after vaccination with Haemophilus b polysaccharide or conjugate vaccine
Article Abstract:
Haemophilus influenzae is an organism that causes a variety of illnesses of which meningitis is the most serious. Infection is most common in young children under one year. Older children and adults are protected against H. influenzae infection by the development of antibodies against the organism. Two vaccines have been developed to protect children against H. influenzae infection by stimulating production of antibodies against this organism. (The PRP vaccine contains polysaccharides, or sugar chains, from the organism, and the PRP-D vaccine contains polysaccharides conjugated to an immune response-stimulating protein.) The effectiveness of the vaccines in the US has been lower than expected. The occurrence of H. influenzae disease after vaccination with polysaccharide (PRP) or conjugate (PRP-D) vaccine was evaluated using reports from 4.5 million administered doses of PRP and 2.0 million doses of PRP-D. Haemophilus b disease was reported in 150 children who received PRP vaccine, while 26 cases of disease were reported after PRP-D vaccination. The rate of PRP-D-associated disease was 30 percent of that observed with PRP vaccine. The rate of early-onset disease, or illness occurring within 15 days after vaccination, was similar for both vaccines. Meningitis was involved in 60 percent of PRP-D cases and 54 percent of PRP cases. Epiglottitis (swelling of the airway) occurred in 6 percent of PRP-D cases, compared with 25 percent of PRP cases. These findings suggest that PRP-D vaccine is more effective than PRP vaccine. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Diseases of Children
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-922X
Year: 1991
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Worth the hassle
Article Abstract:
There are stil very mixed views about the use of computerised nursing systems, some of which have failed to live up to initial expectations. However, latest systems have proved much more effective. Hospitals need to be aware that installation will probably take much longer than anticipated, and should expect some intial disruption. In the long run, computers can play a valuable role in improving patient care and standards of costing and audit.
Publication Name: Nursing Times
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0954-7762
Year: 1995
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