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Published on: February 23, 2014
Twenty-Year Public Health Impact of 7- and 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in US Children
Insights
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have significantly reduced invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children under five. Over 20 years, PCVs averted over 282,000 IPD cases, demonstrating their substantial public health impact.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) were introduced in the US in 2000.
- Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) remains a significant concern in young children.
- Assessing the long-term impact of PCVs is crucial for public health policy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cumulative 20-year impact of PCVs on IPD incidence in children younger than 5 years.
- To quantify the reduction in IPD cases, meningitis, bacteremia, and pneumonia attributed to PCVs.
- To assess the impact of PCVs on healthcare utilization, including otitis media visits and pneumonia hospitalizations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Active Bacterial Core Surveillance data.
- Comprehensive literature review.
- Modeling of expected versus observed disease incidence.
Main Results:
- PCVs averted over 282,000 IPD cases, including meningitis, bacteremia, and bacteremic pneumonia.
- Vaccination prevented approximately 97 million otitis media visits and reduced pneumonia hospitalizations by 66%-79%.
- IPD incidence declined by 91% from 1997 to 2019.
Conclusions:
- PCVs have demonstrated substantial and sustained benefits in preventing IPD among children.
- The widespread use of PCVs has led to significant reductions in childhood illness and healthcare burden.
- Continued vaccination efforts are vital for maintaining control of pneumococcal disease.
Abstract:
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have been used in the United States since 2000. To assess the cumulative 20-year effect of PCVs on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence among children <5 years of age, we analyzed Active Bacterial Core Surveillance data, conducted a literature review, and modeled expected and observed disease. We found that PCVs have averted >282,000 cases of IPD, including ≈16,000 meningitis, ≈172,000 bacteremia, and ≈55,000 bacteremic pneumonia cases. In addition, vaccination has prevented 97 million healthcare visits for otitis media, 438,914-706,345 hospitalizations for pneumonia, and 2,780 total deaths. IPD cases declined 91%, from 15,707 in 1997 to 1,382 in 2019. Average annual visits for otitis media declined 41%, from 78 visits/100 children before PCV introduction to 46 visits/100 children after PCV13 introduction. Annual pneumonia hospitalizations declined 66%-79%, from 110,000-175,000 in 1997 to 37,000 in 2019. These findings confirm the substantial benefits of PCVs for preventing IPD in children.
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