Vaccines for otitis media and other pediatric pneumococcal diseases

The study of vaccines to prevent disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is a study of the diversity, adaptability and tenacity of this human pathogen. In parts of the world, an effective protein conjugate vaccine is now eliminating pneumococcal meningitis and bacteremia in children and, through herd effects, is reducing the burden of invasive disease in older, unvaccinated populations. Use of conjugate vaccines also has impacted otitis media, but this protection is limited and replacement disease has emerged as a concern.

Section editors:Gary Woodnutt – CovX, San Diego, USAPaul-Henri Lambert – Centre of Vaccinology, University of Geneva, Switzerland