Health
Pneumococcal vaccine reduces mild, moderate illness
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 27, 2004
Children who receive the pneumococcal shot have a decreased likelihood of getting ear infections and pneumonia, according to a study published in the September Pediatrics.
The vaccine has been given to children routinely since 2000 in order to reduce severe illnesses such as bacterial meningitis and bacteremia. This is the first study to show that it can impact less serious infections as well.
"[This] reinforces its importance in our public health efforts," said Kathy Poehling, MD, MPH, lead author and assistant professor of pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee.
Dr. Poehling and her research team analyzed administrative data from Tennessee Medicaid and three commercial insurers in New York state. After the introduction of the vaccine, emergency department visits for pneumonia declined 18% in Tennessee, and, in New York, outpatient visits declined 34%. Physician visits for otitis media declined 19% in New York but only 4% in Tennessee.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/09/27/hlbf0927.htm.
