Health
Pneumococcal shot prevents disease even in those who don't receive it
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 10, 2005
The recommendation in 2000 that children younger than 5 receive the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine prevented more than 29,000 cases of severe infection with the bacteria in 2003. This reduction was seen in age groups recommended to receive the shot as well as those who weren't, according to a paper published Sept. 16 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Researchers at several state public health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed data from the Active Bacterial Core co-operative surveillance program. Officials concluded that vaccination efforts had indirectly prevented more than 20,000 cases through the emergence of herd immunity. Another 9,000 cases were prevented among those who had been vaccinated.
The authors cautioned, however, that a small increase had been noted in pneumococcal serotypes not included in the shot. Ongoing surveillance was needed to ensure that the gains would be maintained and not eroded by the emergence of bacteria for which there is not yet a vaccine.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/10/10/hlbf1010.htm.
