Vaccines targeting which organisms have reduced the incidence of bacterial meningitis and CNS complications in children?

• A. All of the above
• B. Hib vaccine
• C. Neisseria meningitidis vaccine
• D. Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine

Answer: (A)

Vaccines against the main bacterial causes of meningitis in children have collectively reduced both the disease and its CNS complications. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) used to be a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in young children, and widespread Hib vaccination dramatically lowered Hib meningitis rates and related brain complications. Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) vaccines have decreased invasive pneumococcal disease, including pneumococcal meningitis, which in turn reduces seizures, hearing loss, and other CNS problems that can follow meningitis. Meningococcus (Neisseria meningitidis) vaccines protect against meningococcal meningitis and meningococcemia, cutting down episodes of meningitis caused by this organism and the severe CNS and systemic complications it can cause.

Because vaccines targeting all three organisms contribute to fewer cases of bacterial meningitis and fewer CNS complications, the best answer is that all of these vaccines together have reduced the incidence of these problems in children.