Pneumococcal disease in sub-Saharan African children: what is the effectiveness of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pneumoniae is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries. Young children represent a high-risk group for severe pneumococcal disease; not only because of their physio-logical susceptibility but also because polysaccharide vaccines are not effective for them. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines have shown a high protection against pneumococcal diseases all over the world. Therefore; the expanded use of this vaccine must be considered as a major world health priority