This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
PCV13 linked to decreased IPD incidence in Denmark
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine reduced the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease and related deaths in Denmark, according to recent findings.
Notably, the decrease in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)-specific mortality was related to decreased disease incidence in the non-vaccinated population, researchers wrote.
In the study, the researchers utilized data from a population-based cohort study based on linkage of laboratory surveillance information on IPD and the Danish Civil Registration System. The researchers monitored shifts in the prevalence of IPD and IPD-related death through three time periods and three generations of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs): baseline (2000-2007), PCV7 (Prevnar 7, Pfizer; 2008-2010) and PCV13 (Prevnar 13, Pfizer; 2011-2013). They projected the prevalence of different serotypes, controlling for periodic trends based on those seen during the past 20 years.
The researchers found that after the introduction of PCV13, there was a 21% decrease (95% CI, 17-25) in the incidence of IPD in the general population and a 71% decrease (95% CI, 62-79) in children younger than 2 years. There was also an approximate 28% decrease (95% CI, 18-37) in 30-day mortality specific to IPD. This rate went from 3.4 deaths (95% CI, 3.2-3.6) per 100,000 population before PCV introduction to 2.4 (95% CI, 2.2-2.7) after the introduction of PCV13. Although this mortality decrease was noted in all age groups, it was primarily noted in non-vaccinated individuals. There were no significant changes in the incidence of serotypes 1 and 3 beyond usual cyclical fluctuations. Although serotype 19A was significantly increased after the introduction of PCV7, its prevalence shifted back toward baseline in 2012.
“PCV13 has brought greater benefits than we had expected in our setting,” the researchers wrote. “These results are important for understanding and rethinking immunization policies for both developing and industrialized countries.”
Disclosure: See the study for a full list of relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts