Impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on hospitalizations for pneumonia in the United States

Abstract

Introduction: Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children and older adults. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) were introduced into the US routine infant vaccination schedule leading to substantial reductions of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD). PCV introduction also led to reductions in all-cause pneumonia among US children, though the indirect impact of PCVs on pneumonia in adults is difficult to quantify, especially due to the recent US recommendation for direct PCV use in older adults. Areas covered: We described the existing evidence for both the direct and indirect impact of PCVs on pneumonia among children and adults in the US since PCV introduction. Expert commentary: The introduction of PCVs into the US routine infant vaccination schedule led to important reductions in the burden of IPD and non-invasive pneumonia among vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. The impact of direct vaccination of older adults in the US since 2014, though difficult to quantify, is currently being evaluated. As pneumonia remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the US, future evaluations of the direct and indirect effects of current and expanded valency PCVs in the US population are needed.

Keywords

• pneumococcal conjugate vaccines
• pneumonia
• pneumococcal disease
• streptococcus pneumoniae
• routine infant vaccination