Effect of pneumococcal vaccination on upper respiratory tract infections in children. Design of a follow-up study

Abstract

Children, aged 6 months to 5 years, were pair-matched with respect to age and history of otitis media acuta. The 405 children received either a subcutaneous injection of Pneumovax (a 14-valent pneumococcal vaccine) or of saline, in a double-blind fashion. The follow-up period for each child was 1 1/2 years. In children younger than 2 years at vaccination no difference was recorded between vaccinees and controls concerning the number of consultations due to otitis media acuta or to other upper respiratory tract infections. In children older than 2 years at vaccination a reduction in the overall frequency of visits due to upper respiratory tract infections was observed after vaccination. The incidence of otitis media acuta was reduced during the first postvaccinal year while visits due to tonsillitis and pharyngitis were reduced during the whole follow-up period in vaccinees as compared to controls.