New Pneumococcal Vaccine Effective Against Invasive Infection

This report, from the trial of the recently approved conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (see JWID Apr 2000, p. 28), describes its effectiveness against invasive infections and . . .

This report, from the trial of the recently approved conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (see JWID Apr 2000, p. 28), describes its effectiveness against invasive infections and otitis media (OM) in 37,868 infants at 23 northern California medical centers, vaccinated between October 1995 and August 1998. Half the infants were randomized to receive the new heptavalent CRM₁₉₇ pneumococcal vaccine, which contains 7 serotypes responsible for about 83% of invasive infections in infants and children. The control group received an experimental conjugate meningococcal vaccine. Infants were immunized at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months of age.

Interim analysis in August 1998 showed that the pneumococcal vaccine was 100% effective: All 17 invasive infections ca…

Reviewing Author

R Baltimore