Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
A reflection on invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal conjugate vaccination coverage in children in Southern
Marta Moreira1, Olga Castro2, Melissa Palmieri3
1a GSK Vaccines , Global Medical affairs , Wavre , Belgium.
Insights
Higher-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) show effectiveness, but suboptimal vaccination coverage in Southern Europe until 2015/16 impacted invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) rates. Improved surveillance is needed to evaluate PCVs in national programs.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Higher-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have demonstrated clinical effectiveness globally since their 2009 European licensure.
- Despite medical need, PCV uptake in Southern Europe remained suboptimal until 2015/16.
- Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) surveillance and vaccination coverage data were analyzed for Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze vaccination coverage and the impact of higher-valent PCVs on overall IPD in Southern European countries.
- To identify trends in PCV uptake and IPD incidence between 2009 and mid-2016.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed for manuscripts published between 2009 and mid-2016.
- Included studies contained data on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence or higher-valent PCV vaccination coverage.
- Data were analyzed for Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus.
Main Results:
- Vaccination coverage varied significantly, with declines observed in Portugal and Madrid following funding changes.
- PCVs were recently introduced into national immunization programs in Portugal (2015) and Spain (2015/16).
- Overall IPD incidence decreased, though pneumococcal meningitis incidence remained stable in Greece.
Conclusions:
- Continued IPD surveillance and robust national vaccination registers are essential for evaluating PCV impact in national immunization programs.
- Timely, publicly available reports are necessary to assess vaccination coverage trends and vaccine effectiveness.
- Strengthening surveillance systems will allow for better assessment of PCV performance in Southern European countries.
Abstract:
Higher-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) were licensed from 2009 in Europe; similar worldwide clinical effectiveness was observed for PCVs in routine use. Despite a proven medical need, PCV vaccination in Southern Europe remained suboptimal until 2015/16. We searched PubMed for manuscripts published between 2009 and mid-2016. Included manuscripts had to contain data about invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence, or vaccination coverage with higher-valent PCVs. This review represents the first analysis of vaccination coverage and impact of higher-valent PCVs on overall IPD in Southern European countries (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus). Vaccination coverage in the Portuguese private market peaked around 2008 at 75% (children ≤ 2 years) but declined to 63% in 2012. In Madrid, coverage was 95% (2007-2012) but dropped to 67% (2013/14; children ≤ 2 years) after funding termination in May 2012. PCVs were recently introduced in the national immunisation program (NIP) of Portugal (2015) and Spain (2015/16). In Italy, coverage for the complete PCV schedule (children ≤ 2 years) was 88% in 2013, although highly variable between regions (45-99%). In Greece, in 2013, 82.3% had received 3 PCV doses by 12 months, while 62.3% received the fourth dose by 24 months. Overall IPD (net benefit: effect on vaccine types, vaccine-related types, and non-vaccine types) has decreased; in Greece, pneumococcal meningitis incidence remained stable. Continued IPD surveillance or national registers using ICD-10 codes of clinically suspected IPD are necessary, with timely publicly available reports and adequate national vaccination registers to assess trends in vaccination coverage, allowing evaluation of PCVs in NIPs.
Related Concept Videos
01:51Vaccinations
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
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.
01:27Streptococcal Pharyngitis
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease