The FDA has approved a new pneumococcal vaccine that protects against 13 strains of the bacterium. The current vaccine, Prevnar, in use since 2000, protects against what were once the 7 most common strains. It is given to infants and toddlers as a 4-dose series (2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months). The current vaccine has been very effective against those 7 strains; however, other strains of pneumococcus have since arisen to continue to cause disease. Among these is strain 19A, a particularly drug resistant strain. Pneumococcus is the most common cause of ear infections, pneumonia, and sinus infections in children. It can cause much more serious infections including meningitis and is the most common cause of these diseases as well.
Since the vaccine became available, we have seen a dramatic decrease in serious infections caused by pneumococcus, and a smaller decrease in ear infections and similar milder diseases. However, we have also seen these infections become much more resistant to antibiotics. In recent years, the rate of serious disease has started to increase again. The new vaccine should help prevent even more of these infections.
The vaccine will quickly replace the current 7 strain vaccine; the company will simply stop selling the old one and replace it with the new one. Also, it is recommended that children younger than 5 years old who received the 7-strain vaccine series receive one dose of the new vaccine.
