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Pneumococcal disease

General Information

Diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) are a major public health problem worldwide. About 90 distinct pneumococcal serotypes have been identified throughout the world.

S. pneumoniae is the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia.

Pneumococcal resistance to antimicrobials is a serious and rapidly increasing problem worldwide.

There are two principal types of pneumococcal vaccines currently in use: pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV).

Transmission

Pneumococci are transmitted by direct contact with respiratory secretions from patients and healthy carriers.

Symptoms

Serious pneumococcal infections include pneumonia, meningitis and febrile bacteraemia; otitis media, sinusitis and bronchitis are more common but less serious manifestations.

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Epidemiology

It is estimated that about one million children die of pneumococcal disease every year.

The incidence of community-acquired pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae is estimated at 1:1,000 adults per year.

Vaccines
Pipeline

4
Vaccines in
the pipeline

Technology Platforms

  • Glycoconjugate vaccine (3)
  • Protein subunit​ (1)

DEVELOPMENT PHASES

  • Phase II (3)
  • Phase III (1)

TRIAL POPULATION

    Paediatric (2)​
    Adults (1)​
    Paediatric + Adults + Older Adults (1)​

Sources: 
https://www.who.int/teams/health-product-policy-and-standards/standards-and-specifications/vaccine-standardization/pneumococcal-disease
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/pneumococcal-disease/facts
[Accessed: November 2022]

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