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In the Philippines, pneumococcal disease and its manifestations,
which includes pneumonia, is a significant health threat,
particularly for young children and the elderly. In 2007, pneumonia
was recorded as the number one most common cause of death in
children in the Philippines.
A new study, presented this week at the 6th
International Symposium for Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases
(ISPPD-6) in Reykjavik, Iceland, investigates the epidemiology of
pneumococcal disease (PD) among Filipino children.
Pneumococcal disease describes a group of
illnesses caused by the bacterium known as S.pneumoniae. There are
more than 90 strains, but only a small subset of strains cause the
majority of PD. Illnesses caused by PD include pneumonia, sepsis
(blood infection), otitis media (middle ear infection) and
meningitis (brain infection) and can be life-threatening. According
to the World Health Organization, PD is the leading cause of
vaccine-preventable death in children younger than five years of age
worldwide.
The study, conducted by the Research Institute
for Tropical Medicine in Manila and the International Vaccine
Institute, researched the most common strains of S.pneumoniae
causing PD in the Philippines.
At par with previous studies conducted from
other countries, researchers concluded that the investigational
13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), which was recently
fast-tracked for approval by the US Food and Drug Administration,
would cover 77.1 percent of PD in Filipino children.
A 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
(PCV-7) suitable for children from 0-2 years of age and up to 9
years old is currently available worldwide. This vaccine which
provides protection from S.pneumoniae that causes PD has been
recommended for routine immunization of children by various global
and local organizations including the World Health Organization, the
Philippine Pediatric Society and the Pediatric Infectious Disease
Society of the Philippines.
This finding is significant as not only does
immunization provide protection to children and infants, it also can
protect adults. Known as “herd protection;” it is an important
indirect benefit extended to adults following the routine
vaccination of children, and is an important consideration in
economic evaluations.
In the Philippines, pneumococcal disease and its
symptoms, which includes pneumonia, is a significant health threat,
particularly for young children and the elderly. In 2007, pneumonia
was recorded as the number one most common cause of death in the
Philippines.
Also important to note, the study revealed a
growing incidence of antibiotic resistance as an increasing concern,
complicating treatment options for patients with PD.
Following recommendation from the Strategic
Advisory Group of Experts on immunization, the World Health
Organization considers that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
should be a priority for inclusion in national childhood
immunization programs.
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