The introduction of PCV13 vaccine in Tennessee reduced racial disparities in pneumococcal disease

Population-based surveillance data collected in the state of Tennessee from 1998 – 2016 found that the introduction of PCV13 was associated with reductions in socioeconomic and racial disparities in PCV13-serotype invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). PCV13 introduction was associated with the prevention of IPD in the overall population as well as substantial decreases in racial disparities in IPD over time between Black and White populations. Before PCV13 was introduced, Black people in the study had an IPD incidence 1.5 times higher than White people – 24.7 and 16.4, respectively. After PCV13 introduction, Black people had an IPD incidence 1.15 times the incidence among Whites: 15 and 13.1, respectively.