Haemophilus influenzae type b infection in children in Pacific countries.

The Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease burden among children under five years in four Pacific island countries (PIC was estimated. The incidence of confirmed Hib meningitis was calculated using numbers of culture confirmed isolates. In addition, the WHO Hib Rapid Assessment Tool (RAT) was used to estimate the true Hib meningitis incidence and the number of Hib meningitis and pneumonia cases and deaths. The Hib meningitis annual incidence in three PICs was 70 to 84 per 100,000 children under five years. The high Hib disease burden and the relative cost-effectiveness of Hib vaccine, make the introduction of Hib vaccine a good investment for PICs costing US$ 1,000-10,000 for each death prevented - ignoring treatment cost savings.