Impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) on pneumonia, the forgotten killer of children

Pneumococcus contributes to nearly 50% of severe cases of pneumonia and pneumonia deaths. This article presents a literature review of the impact of the pneumococcal vaccines namely PCV7, PCV10 and PCV13 on community acquired pneumonia (CAP). It appears that the quantum of reduction of CAP is much better with PCV13 than PCV10 in several countries. However, inclusion of either vaccine in the national immunisation programme in developing countries has the potential to save 0.3–0.5 million deaths and 7–8 million episodes of severe CAP.