What vaccination can prevent a significant number of acute epiglottitis cases?

The Hib vaccine is specifically designed to prevent infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, which is a leading cause of acute epiglottitis in children. Prior to the widespread use of the Hib vaccine, epiglottitis due to this bacterium was a common and severe condition, often requiring hospitalization and intubation due to airway obstruction.

By immunizing children against Hib, the incidence of epiglottitis has significantly declined, demonstrating the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing this serious respiratory infection. The vaccination leads to the development of immunity against the bacteria, thereby reducing the cases of epiglottitis caused by Hib.

Other vaccines listed serve different purposes and do not have a direct impact on preventing acute epiglottitis. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella; the DTP vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; and the polio vaccine protects against poliovirus. None of these vaccines target the Haemophilus influenzae type b bacterium, making them ineffective in preventing cases of acute epiglottitis.