Over a four-year period following the introduction of PCV-10 in Finland, purchases of antimicrobials that are recommended for the treatment of acute otitis media (middle-ear infection) for children born during these years fell by nearly 18%, compared to pre-vaccine years, and the rate of surgeries to place ear tubes for severe cases fell 15%. Although it is considered a mild disease, acute otitis media caused by pneumococcus is 1,000 times more common in young children than invasive pneumococcal disease, such as pneumonia or meningitis, and thus the public health impact of the vaccine in reducing otitis media cases and in saving health care costs is considerable.
Full Citation:
Palmu AA, Rinta-Kokko H, Nohynek H et al.. 2018. Impact of national ten-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine program on reducing antimicrobial use and tympanostomy tube placements in Finland. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 37(1).
Title of Article: Impact of national ten-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine program on reducing antimicrobial use and tympanostomy tube placements in Finland
Author(s): Palmu AA, Rinta-Kokko H, Nohynek H et al.
Publication Year: 2018
Publication Name: Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Publication Volume: 37(1)
Publication Source URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29088026/
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): 10.1097/INF.0000000000001810
Topics: Health
Disease Vaccines: Pneumococcal disease/PCV/PPSV
Countries: Finland
WHO Regions: Europe