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Child welfare

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines Could Save Almost 700,000 Children's Lives

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) could have prevented around 5% of pneumococcal deaths since their introduction in 2000, according to a modelling study by researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). The study suggests that by 2030, PCVs could have saved almost 700,000 children's lives, which is equivalent to the average number of babies born in the UK each year. The researchers found that delays in vaccine roll-out and low coverage in some countries have resulted in PCVs failing to achieve their full potential in preventing deaths.

Key Takeaways:

  • PCVs could have prevented around 5% of pneumococcal deaths since their introduction in 2000, saving almost 700,000 children's lives by 2030.
  • Increasing vaccine coverage to levels seen with other vaccines such as the DTP vaccine could prevent an additional 146,000 deaths.
  • PCVs protect children from the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, which can lead to severe illnesses including pneumonia and meningitis.
  • The analysis modelled the impact of PCVs given to children aged 5 and under across 112 countries.
  • The research emphasizes not only the potential health benefits of utilising the vaccine but also calculates their affordability, with a year of a child's life saved by using a pneumococcal vaccine costing the same as $851USD worth of goods in 2015.
  • The study was conducted as part of the Vaccine Impact Modelling Consortium, an international community of modellers providing high-quality estimates of the public health impact of vaccination funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Statistics:

  • Around 5% of pneumococcal deaths could have been prevented since the introduction of PCVs in 2000.
  • PCVs could have saved almost 700,000 children's lives by 2030.
  • An additional 146,000 deaths could be prevented if vaccine coverage is increased to levels seen with other vaccines.
  • The cost of saving a year of a child's life by using a pneumococcal vaccine is estimated to be the same as $851USD worth of goods in 2015.
  • The study modelled the impact of PCVs given to children aged 5 and under across 112 countries.

Sources:

  • "New LSHTM modelling study estimates lifesaving potential of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and supports calls for higher vaccine coverage". London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, August 16.
  • The Lancet Global Health.

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