backgroundUruguay incorporated the conjugate vaccine against

methodsSterile site Hib isolations from hospitalized children were included. Clinical and microbiological characteristics were analyzed. Favorable conditions for the infection were considered: incomplete immunization, immunodeficiencies and associated pathologies. Two periods are described: 1, prior to vaccine change (1/1 st/2000- 12/31/08) and 2, post-change (1/1 st/09- 12/31st/17).

results45 children were hospitalized: 5 in the first period and 40 in the second. The hospitalization rate per 10,000 discharges was 0.41 (95% CI 0.05-0.77) and 4.2/10,000 (95% CI 2.89-5.48), respectively (p < 0.01). The diagnoses at discharge were: meningitis/ventriculitis (20), pneumonia (16), bacteremia (3), epiglottitis (1), arthritis (1), cellulitis (3) and obstruction of the upper airway (1). Four children presented comorbidities. Twenty seven received less than 3 doses of anti-Hib vaccination and 18 were properly vaccinated (2 were immunodeficient). The median hospitalization was 14 days, 18 children required intensive therapy.

conclusionsObserved change may be due to: incomplete primary series, inhomogeneous vaccine coverage and immunogenicity of the synthetic polysaccharide. To reduce this public health problem, epidemiological surveillance.