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Coronaviruses

Changes in Pneumococcal Deaths in the USA Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research findings have described changes in rates of death due to pneumococcus during the COVID-19 pandemic period from 2020 to 2022. The study, conducted by the Yale School of Public Health, analyzed vital statistics data for the United States, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, cause of death, and seasonality of respiratory viruses. The researchers found that for most of 2020, pneumococcal deaths followed the typical seasonal pattern but remained lower than expected in the spring of 2021. A notable spike in pneumococcal deaths occurred around mid-2021, coinciding with the Delta wave of COVID-19.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health analyzed vital statistics data for the United States to study changes in pneumococcal deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic period from 2020 to 2022.
  • Pneumococcal deaths followed the typical seasonal pattern for most of 2020 but remained lower than expected in the spring of 2021.
  • A notable spike in pneumococcal deaths occurred around mid-2021, coinciding with the Delta wave of COVID-19.
  • The researchers found that changes in pneumococcal mortality patterns were influenced by respiratory viruses, which interact with pneumococcus.
  • The study's findings highlighted the influence of respiratory viruses on the development and severity of pneumococcal disease.
  • Additional authors for this research include Lianhan Shang and Daniel M. Weinberger.
  • The study was published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, an Elsevier journal.

Statistics:

  • Pneumococcal deaths remained lower than expected in the spring of 2021.
  • A notable spike in pneumococcal deaths occurred around mid-2021, with 95 percent prediction interval.
  • The 2021 winter-2022 spring peak in pneumococcal deaths followed the prepandemic trend.
  • Respiratory viruses interacted with pneumococcus, influencing pneumococcal mortality patterns.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Yale School of Public Health Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Changes in pneumococcal deaths in the USA following the COVID-19 pandemic). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. November 2, 2025; p 301.
  • International Journal of Infectious Diseases: "Changes in pneumococcal deaths in the USA following the COVID-19 pandemic" (2025;160:108020).

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