Abstract

A 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine has been available since the early 1980s, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) have been available since 2009. The focus of this position paper is use of PCV in infants and children <5 years of age; a separate position paper on vaccination of older age groups with conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines will be developed after consideration by SAGE. The present position paper includes data on the effects of the 10- and 13-valent PCVs (PCV10 and PCV13) published up to June 2017 and specifically addresses the dosing schedule, product choice and the value of catch-up vaccination in children under 5 years of age.
Recommendations on the use of PCVs were discussed by SAGE in October 2017. Evidence presented at the meeting can be accessed at: http://www.who.int/immunization/sage/meetings/2017/october/presentations_background_docs/en/.

  • Position paper
  • Pneumococcal disease