Declining invasive pneumococcal disease mortality in the United States, 1990-2005

PCV7 use in the U.S. has led to notable decreases in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). We examined PCV7 influence on IPD mortality for all age groups using National Multiple-Cause-of-Death data (1990-2005). Age-specific mortality rates were compared before and after PCV7 use. Average decreases in age-adjusted mortality rates for meningitis and septicemia accelerated post-PCV7, the greatest decline observed in septicemia-related deaths. The youngest and oldest age groups experienced large decreases in age-specific mortality rates after the introduction of PCV7. Mortality rate decline across all age groups strengthens evidence of vaccine-induced herd immunity and provides additional information for cost-benefit analyses of PCV7.