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Diseases

Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Remains High Despite Vaccine Implementation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Despite the widespread adoption of 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) in infant national immunization programs, pneumococcal disease incidence remains relatively high among older adults. This includes not only invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), but also non-invasive community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Researchers from GlaxoSmithKline have identified several persistent pneumococcal serotypes in both IPD and CAP among adults aged 65 years or older, including serotypes 3, 19A, and 7F. These findings highlight the need for new vaccination technologies and strategies to improve protection of older adults.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pneumococcal disease incidence remains high among older adults despite widespread vaccine implementation.
  • Researchers identified persistent pneumococcal serotypes in both IPD and CAP among adults aged 65 years or older.
  • Serotypes 3, 19A, and 7F were found to be consistently reported in both clinical manifestations.
  • The predominant non-PCV13 serotypes identified in both manifestations were serotypes 8, 12F, 15A, and 22F.
  • GlaxoSmithKline provided financial support for this research.
  • The study's findings emphasize the need for new vaccination technologies and strategies to improve protection of older adults.

Statistics:

  • 2006-2020: The period of observational studies reviewed by the researchers.
  • 17: The number of IPD studies analyzed.
  • 17: The number of CAP studies analyzed.
  • 10: The number of valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) implemented in children.
  • 13: The number of valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) implemented in children.
  • 65%: The percentage of adults aged 65 years or older who are impacted by pneumococcal disease.
  • 2025: The year the study was published.
  • 13: The volume of Frontiers in Public Health, where the study was published.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Study Findings from GlaxoSmithKline plc Broaden Understanding of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (Serotype Distribution of Invasive and Non-invasive Pneumococcal Disease In Adults 65 Years of Age Following the Introduction of 10-and 13-valent ...). Vaccine Weekly. July 9, 2025; p 158.
  • Frontiers in Public Health. Serotype Distribution of Invasive and Non-invasive Pneumococcal Disease In Adults 65 Years of Age Following the Introduction of 10-and 13-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines In Infant National Immunization Programs: a Systematic Literature Review. 2025;13.

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