Dr. Jeremy F. Shapiro
Pediatrician
Dr Shapiro completed his undergraduate education at UC San Diego earning a B S in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and a B A in Political Science He furthered his education at UCLA where he earned a Masters Degree in Public…
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LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA, USA
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  • Attending Physician, Providence Tarzana Regional Medical Center
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Hib Meningitis: Nothing Short of a Tragedy
5
Posted in Adoption by Dr. Jeremy F. Shapiro on Jan 26, 2009


As I try to make sense of the recent cases of bacterial meningitis caused by the vaccine-preventable bacteria, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), all that comes to mind is how unfortunate, unnecessary, and tragic these events have been.  For those not yet in the know, according to a recent press release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5 cases, including 1 death, of Hib meningitis were confirmed in Minnesota in 2008.  And it should follow these were the most cases of this disease found in Minnesota since 1991...interestingly enough, just shortly after the licensure of the first Hib vaccine.


It should also be made known that of these five Hib meningitis cases, three received no vaccinations secondary to the parental or guardian decision to defer or refuse to vaccinate their children.  And of these three, one was a 7 month-old infant who died.  The other two cases included a 5 month-old infant who had received 2 Hib vaccinations and a 15 month-old who was up-to-date for vaccinations, but after being diagnosed with this Hib meningitis, was subsequently diagnosed with an immune deficiency which more than likely contributed to the acquisition of this disease.


So while words cannot express the sorrow and grief I feel for the parents and family members who have lost their baby to this merciless disease, it must still be stressed this untimely death was preventable.  In fact, this is one disease I hope to say that by the time my days as a pediatrician have ended, I will have never seen it up close and personal.  But with a significant enough percentage of the population deferring or refusing vaccinations for their children, I am afraid it will only be a matter of time until what occurred in Minnesota, will present itself elsewhere.


As far as the specifics of the Hib vaccine, depending upon the type of vaccine used, its administration usually involves two or three doses in the first 6 months of life and a booster dose after 1 year of age.  But since we have been experiencing a shortage of this vaccine since November of 2007 that will probably last until sometime later this year, the current recommendation is to hold off on the booster and just complete the primary series.


So for those of you who have a young child, are about to have a child, or will have a child one day, and with due respect to the families involved, I do hope these recent events help you appreciate the importance of vaccinating your child. 


 


Dr. Jeremy



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Displaying comments 5-1 of 5
5
cool thanks was curious about the shortage, thanks for a heads up!
By NickNicksmommykitkat  Jan 26, 2009
4
On 12/20/07 my then 12 year old daughter received an immunization shot to prevent against Meningocococcal disease. She received 6.5ml 1m (lot#U2427AA) in her arm. I was very apprehensive about this drug flowing in her veins as it is rather new and not enough years have passed for it to be adequately tested. She had no adverse reations to the shot or any complications thereafter. However, she has been complaining off and on over the months about earaches or sore throats more than I feel is normal. Or, is this this normal for a 12 year old girl to endure. She is now 13 and still complains often about her ears or throat hurting. She has seen the doctor about 5 times over the past few years (once because she had strep throat) but basically, they say her ears look good and they find nothing wrong. I wonder if she should have a blood test or urine sample tested to see if something else is going on that we are not yet aware of that could be causing these complaints. We live in the Pacific Northwest and it has been quite chilly these past few months. this could explain a low grade infection or I don't know what. What's your take on her complaints?
By Cybercatxq  Jan 26, 2009
3
my son was diagnosed with bacterial menningitis in 1980 when he was 14 months old. the pediatrician was out-of-town and i used his 'on call' ped. who told me, 'your baby has 'the flu' and you need to give him asperin via suppository. i did this. my baby, my son, vomited/diahrea until there was nothing left in his body. he turned blue and i put him in my car and drove to the pediatrician's office across town. the waiting room was full. when the people at the receptionist desk saw my son ... the pediatrician immediately came out to the waiting room, picked him up from my arms, brought him into the doctor's office and then he said, "your baby is very, very sick. he is in a coma. we have to take a spinal tap and either he has spinal meningitis or Reyes syndrome.' well, the spinal tap revealed bacterial meningitis. my son was in ICU in a coma for almost 3 weks. then, one day he woke up. there was another baby boy in the hospital about the same age and diagnosed with H-Flu, as the doctor's referred to it. that other baby boy went to Heaven. the look on that baby's parents ... i will never forget.

when i learned there was a vaccine for S.M. i had my daughter given the vaccine shot at age 5. but she never went for follow up vaccine because at that time the f/up booster was not recommended.

i cannot imagine people NOT vacinating their children for this horrible disease.
By swandy52  Jan 26, 2009
2
The statistics you state do not seem to support vaccines. Am I reading this correctly?
(quote)"The other two cases included a 5 month-old infant who had received 2 Hib vaccinations and a 15 month-old who was up-to-date for vaccinations, but after being diagnosed with this Hib meningitis, was subsequently diagnosed with an immune deficiency which more than likely contributed to the acquisition of this disease."(unquote)
In those two cases, the vaccine appears not to have helped, & the acquired Hib is passed off as "immune deficiency"? Could too many vaccines at such a young age caused the immune deficiency?
By DaCo  Jan 26, 2009
1
I read this article last night on cnn.com and was going to send you a link, (as it was sure to spark a topic) but I figured you'd have heard being a member of the medical community and all.

It's rather sad that people neglect to vaccinate, no matter the reason.
By DLR77  Jan 26, 2009
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