Invasive pneumococcal disease in children in Ireland--the anticipated benefit of conjugate pneumococcal vaccination

Ir J Med Sci. 2008 Sep;177(3):225-31. doi: 10.1007/s11845-008-0167-6. Epub 2008 Jun 27.

Abstract

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important cause of childhood illness. Recently a safe and effective 7-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine for children has been licensed in the EU.

Aims: To calculate the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children in Ireland, to estimate the burden of disease and to anticipate the protective effect of the conjugate vaccine.

Methods: Retrospective review of data from children with IPD.

Results: Ninety-six cases of IPD in 95 children including two related deaths were identified. All childhood IPD incidence was estimated at 10.6/100,000. We anticipate that the 7-valent conjugate vaccine could prevent up to 90% of sepsis and up to 82.5% of meningitis cases.

Conclusions: IPD is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in children in Ireland. Routine use of conjugate pneumococcal vaccine would have a significant impact on pneumococcal disease, especially in vaccinated children but also in unvaccinated children and older adults.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Ireland / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Pneumococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Pneumococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Pneumococcal Infections / prevention & control*
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines*
  • Population Surveillance
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Vaccines, Conjugate*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Conjugate