Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Among Infants Before and After Introduction of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine.

The article discusses the incidence of Streptococcus pneumoniae in infant children before and after the introduction of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Streptococcus Pneumoniae can cause a number of conditions including meningitis, bacteremia, and pneumonia. Since the generalization of the vaccine in the United States, the rate of pneumococcal infection has decreased by 60% among children younger than 2 years old. The researchers examined children in eight states, aged 0 to 90 days, and performed active laboratory surveillance for invasive S pneumoniae infections. The results of this study suggest that by inoculating children age 2 to 23 months, the rates of pneumonia have also decreased for younger children who are not old enough to be given the vaccine.