Impact of 13 Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on Pneumococcal Pneumonia Requiring Hospitalization

Seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced in 2000 and was replaced by a 13-valent vaccine (PCV13) in 2010. Following initial introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia, decreased. Further reductions have been reported after widespread use of PCV13 (NEJM JW Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Sep 2014 and Pediatrics 2014; 134:210).

In this retrospective study of children admitted to eight medical centers with pneumococcal pneumonia from 2006 to 2014, researchers compared characteristics and outcomes in the PCV7 era (2006–2009) and after PCV13 introduction (2011–2014). After introduction of PCV13, there was a 56% reduction in hospitalizations for pn…