Ambulatory Care Visits for Otitis Media Are Reduced Since PCV-7 and PCV-13 Introductions

In the U.S., there were 6 million fewer visits for ear infections in young children each year between 2000 and 2014.

Otitis media (OM) can be caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and both the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) and newer PCV-13 have been found to reduce the incidence of OM in children (NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Aug 2018 and Lancet Child Adolesc Health 2018; 2:561).

Using nationally representative survey data on ambulatory care visits in the U.S., researchers analyzed trends in visits for OM in children aged <18 years from before the introduction of PCV-7 in 2000 until after the introduction of PCV-13 in 2010. Results were as follows:

In children aged <2 years, OM-related visits to physician offices decreased from 826 to 387 visits per 1000 children between the pre–PCV-7 period (1997–1999) and post–PCV-13 period (2012–2014).
In th…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Ambulatory Care Visits for Otitis Media Are Reduced Since PCV-7 and PCV-13 Introductions

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Reviewing Author