Publication

Indirect effect of 10-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine against adult pneumococcal pneumonia in rural Western Kenya

Authored by:

Bigogo GM, Audi A, Auko J et al.

Full Citation:

Bigogo GM, Audi A, Auko J et al. 2019. Indirect effect of 10-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine against adult pneumococcal pneumonia in rural Western Kenya. Clinical Infectious Diseases.

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Additional key concepts from this publication:

Those with cancer and weakened immune systems benefit from the immunization of others through herd immunity.

Key Evidence: The introduction of PCV-10, along with a “catch-up” campaign for 1-4 year olds, led to dramatic reductions in the rates of pneumococcal pneumonia in adults (≥18 years old) in a rural area of Kenya with high rates of both adult pneumococcal pneumonia and HIV. Over five years following the vaccine introduction, the incidence rates among adults were 47-94% lower each year than in the pre-vaccine period, with similar declines for HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected adults.

Those with HIV are at an increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Key Evidence: Prior to the introduction of PCV, adults with HIV in a rural area of Kenya were nearly five times more likely to have pneumococcal pneumonia than non-infected adults, and the majority of cases with bacteremia (blood infection) occurred in HIV positive individuals.

Vaccination can help improve the health equity of those who are HIV positive.

Key Evidence: Over a five-year period following the introduction of PCV for infants in Kenya, the incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia in adults with HIV in a rural area fell sharply — narrowing the gap in incidence rates between HIV-infected and non-infected adults — as a result of both the herd effects of the vaccine and improved access to HIV care during this period.