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. 2021 Sep 30;224(12 Suppl 2):S352-S359.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa535.

Triumph of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines: Overcoming a Common Foe

Gail L Rodgers  1 , Cynthia G Whitney  2 , Keith P Klugman  1
Affiliations

Triumph of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines: Overcoming a Common Foe

Gail L Rodgers et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) has reduced the burden of pneumococcal disease by the near elimination of vaccine serotypes from countries giving a booster dose at >9 months of life. Herd protection, induced by interruption of pneumococcal vaccine type transmission has protected children too young to be immunized, children and adults with underlying risk conditions for invasive pneumococcal disease, and the elderly. PCV has rolled out in most poor countries, but millions of children remain un-immunized especially in middle income countries because of cost constraints. These are being met by considering fewer doses to maintain herd protection, and support for more affordable vaccine from developing country manufacturers. While 3rd generation PCV's with potential inclusion of 20+ serotypes are close to market in adults, it will be their introduction into childhood immunization and herd protection that is most likely to maximize the public health benefits of these vaccines.

Keywords: meningitis; pneumococcal conjugate vaccine; pneumonia.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in the United States (US) by age group and year, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Active Bacterial Core surveillance. The first-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7-valent PCV) became part of the routine US infant immunization program in 2000 and was replaced with a second-generation vaccine (13-valent PCV) in 2010.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Current pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction status, by country. Accessed at www.view-hub.org, 1 July 2020.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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