The impact of the 13 valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine on pneumococcal serotypes causing childhood empyema in Australia

Abstract

Introduction: The 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (13vPCV) replaced the 7vPCV on the national immunisation schedule in Australia in mid-2011. Aim: To determine the impact of 13vPCV on Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) serotypes causing childhood empyema. Methods: Pleural fluid was collected from children with empyema presenting to 11 paediatric hospitals across Australia before (2007-2009) and after (2015-2017) the introduction of 13vPCV. Sp serotypes were identified on empyema fluid by PCR and sequencing. Results: Pre 13vPCV: 143 children, 81 male, median age 4.9 (range 0.4-15.5) years were recruited. Sp was identified by PCR in 73 of 143 (51%) of cases. Post 13vPCV: 167 children, 85 male, median age 3.5 (range 0.6-15.8) years were recruited. Sp was identified by PCR in 95 of 167 (56.9%) of cases (Table). Conclusion: The 13vPCV has not been effective against pneumococcal serotypes 3 and 19A. These data will help inform future national pneumococcal vaccination strategies. (Table presented).L6220913722018-05-16 <br />