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Although the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) has been licensed for adults since 1983, its effectiveness against nonbacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (NPP) is still unresolved. The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, introduced in 2000 for routine childhood immunization, showed clear benefit in preventing both NPP and invasive pneumococcal disease; it was replaced in 2010 by a 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13). This vaccine was recently licensed for use in adults.
Using a Markov state-transition model, researchers examined the cost-effectiveness of various adult vaccination strategies with PPSV23 and PCV13. Simulations involved hypothetical cohorts of U.S. 50-year-olds; data sources included the CDC Active Bacterial Core…