Pneumococcal Vaccine Effectiveness in South Africa

After the introduction of PCVs in South Africa, the overall incidence of invasive pneumococcal infections per 100,000 person-years decreased from 9.4 cases to 5.7.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have been effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal infections (IPIs) in high-income countries. In African countries, where the pneumococcal disease burden is higher (especially in young children) and the prevalent serotypes differ, the benefits of PCV may be different. In a recent observational study, researchers used laboratory-report data from 24 hospitals in South Africa to examine PCVs' effects on IPI rates according to age, HIV status, and pneumococcal serotype. In that country, the 7-valent PCV (PCV7) was introduced in 2009, and the 13-valent PCV (PCV13) replaced PCV7 in 2011.

A total of 35,192 cases of IPI were identified from 2005–2012. The overall IPI rate per 100,000 person-years (PYs) de…

Reviewing Author

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Pneumococcal Vaccine Effectiveness in South Africa

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Reviewing Author