Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine and Pneumococcal Common Protein Vaccines

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines have reduced the global burden of invasive pneumococcal disease, pneumococcal pneumonia and otitis media globally. They have been introduced into the immunization schedule of most countries - mass campaigns are being considered for children <5 years of age in countries with disfunctional routine immunization programs. Optimal schedules for routine imunization include one of more doses in the first few months of life and a booster dose given at 9 months of age or older. Herd protection extends vaccine impact to unimmunized infants and to the elderly. Next generation conjugates offering protection to 20+ serotypes are in late development and will first be used in adults. Replacement disease especially in adults has reduced some of the gains of conjugate vaccines but whole cell or protein vaccine approaches have not yet been licensed.