Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
Homogeneous Glycoconjugate Produced by Combined Unnatural Amino Acid Incorporation and Click-Chemistry for Vaccine Purposes
Published on: December 19, 2020
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine: a newer vaccine available in India
1Department of Community Medicine, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana India. dr.rameshverma@yahoo.co.in
Insights
Streptococcus pneumoniae causes deadly pneumonia and meningitis in young children globally, especially in India. Pneumococcal vaccines offer a vital solution to reduce child mortality from these diseases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a leading cause of mortality in children under five and the elderly worldwide.
- Pneumococcal diseases, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia, represent a significant global public health burden, particularly in developing nations.
- Pneumonia is the primary infectious cause of death for children under five globally and remains the leading killer of children in India.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the substantial burden of pneumococcal diseases, specifically pneumonia and meningitis, on child mortality in India.
- To underscore the urgent need for dedicated resources and interventions to combat the persistent high burden of childhood pneumonia in India.
- To inform about the potential of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) in reducing child mortality.
Main Methods:
- The abstract does not detail specific methods but synthesizes data from various sources, including UNICEF publications.
- It analyzes the incidence and mortality rates of pneumococcal diseases in children under five, with a focus on India.
- It discusses the role of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) and their potential inclusion in national immunization schedules.
Main Results:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae causes at least one million deaths annually in children under five, exceeding deaths from malaria, AIDS, and measles combined.
- Pneumococcal pneumonia was the leading infectious killer of children worldwide in 2007, and pneumonia remains the leading killer in India.
- An estimated 410,000 children under five die of pneumonia annually in India, accounting for 25% of all child deaths.
Conclusions:
- Pneumococcal diseases pose a critical threat to child survival, particularly in developing countries like India.
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) present a crucial opportunity to significantly reduce child mortality from pneumonia and meningitis.
- The Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) has offered support for PCV provision to India, emphasizing the importance of vaccination programs.
Abstract:
Streptococcus pneumoniae, or "pneumococcus," causes pneumonia and infections of the brain and blood that are responsible for significant mortality in children under five years as well as in the elderly. Pneumococcal diseases are a major public health problem worldwide. S. pneumoniae is responsible for 15-50% of all episodes of community-acquired pneumonia, 30-50% of all cases of acute otitis media, and a significant proportion of bacterial meningitis and bacteremia. S. pneumoniae kills at least one million children under the age of five every year, which is more than malaria, AIDS and measles combined. More than 70% of the deaths are in developing countries. In 2007, pneumococcal pneumonia was the leading infectious killer of children worldwide. Perhaps more importantly, pneumonia remains the leading killer of children in India. A recent UNICEF publication estimated that 410,000 children under age 5 y die of pneumonia each year in India, and recent data shows that an estimated 25% of all child deaths in India are due to pneumonia. The fact that this high burden of pneumonia has remained undiminished in India in spite of economic growth and decline in child mortality due to other diseases is a reminder of the importance of tackling pneumonia head-on with dedicated resources. The burden of pneumococcal meningitis, which constitutes about half of all childhood meningitis cases in most settings and a greater proportion of meningitis deaths, makes it difficult to avoid the conclusion that the pneumococcus is responsible for 1 million child deaths each year. Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) has offered to supply PCV at a cost of 0.15-0.30 USD/dose to India for inclusion in the national immunization schedule and commits to extending this support until the year 2015. Pneumococcal vaccination in not recommended in children aged 5 and above.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
01:30Acute Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...