P2.3 Haemophilus influenzae vaccination

Six randomised trials of oral monobacterial whole cell killed non-typable haemophilus influenzae vaccine (Foxwell et al., 2003) found a significant reduction in the incidence of bronchitic episodes three months after vaccination, but the effect had disappeared by nine months. The severity of exacerbations in the treatment group as measured by the requirement to prescribe antibiotics was reduced by 65% at six months. [evidence level I].

A recent placebo controlled RCT (Tandon et al., 2010) of an oral inactivated non-typable H.influenzae vaccine (HI-1640V) in 38 patients with severe COPD found a reduction in moderate to severe exacerbations, shorter duration of episodes, fewer prescriptions of antibiotics and reduced hospital admissions [evidence level II]. However, this vaccine is not currently available in Australia or New Zealand.