Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026
Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
Published on: February 15, 2013
[Pneumococcal vaccination for children and adults]
11 Infektiologie/Spitalhygiene, Kantonsspital St. Gallen.
Insights
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) significantly reduce respiratory infections and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children and adults. Herd protection from childhood vaccination also benefits unvaccinated individuals, including the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Bacteriology
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Pneumococci are a primary cause of bacterial respiratory tract infections, bacteremia, and meningitis.
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) are established as safe and effective for young children.
- PCV introduction has led to decreased rates of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), pneumonia, otitis media, and antibiotic-resistant infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) on disease burden.
- To highlight the herd protection effect of PCV in unvaccinated populations.
- To present evidence for the efficacy and safety of the 13-valent PCV13 in adults.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on pneumococcal disease trends.
- Analysis of vaccine efficacy and safety studies in pediatric and adult populations.
- Assessment of nasopharyngeal carriage and transmission dynamics post-PCV introduction.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in IPD, pneumonia, otitis media, and antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal infections observed following PCV implementation in children.
- Demonstrated reduction in pneumococcal carriage and transmission, leading to herd protection.
- Evidence supporting the effectiveness and safety of 13-valent PCV13 in adults, irrespective of age.
Conclusions:
- PCV are crucial tools for controlling pneumococcal diseases in both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations.
- Herd immunity conferred by childhood PCV programs provides substantial protection to non-vaccinated groups, notably the elderly.
- The 13-valent PCV13 is recommended for all individuals with risk factors, underscoring its broad applicability and public health importance.
Abstract:
Pneumococci are the leading bacterial causes of respiratory tract infections, bacteremia and meningitis. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) are effective and safe in young children. Their introduction led to significant reductions of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), pneumonia, otitis media and antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal infections. Beyond these effects in the vaccinated age groups, there is a reduction in nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage and therefore in transmission. This in turn led to marked reductions in IPD and pneumonia in non-vaccinated age groups, particularly elderly adults as evidence of herd protection. Recently it was shown that the 13-valent PCV13 is effective and safe in adults leading to the age-independent recommendation of PCV13 in all persons with risk factors.
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