Invasive pneumococcal disease in children in Ireland--the anticipated benefit of conjugate pneumococcal vaccination.

BACKGROUND

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important cause of childhood illness. Recently a safe and effective 7-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine for children has been licensed in the EU.

AIMS: To calculate the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children in Ireland, to estimate the burden of disease and to anticipate the protective effect of the conjugate vaccine.

METHODS

Retrospective review of data from children with IPD.

RESULTS

Ninety-six cases of IPD in 95 children including two related deaths were identified. All childhood IPD incidence was estimated at 10.6/100,000. We anticipate that the 7-valent conjugate vaccine could prevent up to 90% of sepsis and up to 82.5% of meningitis cases.

CONCLUSIONS

IPD is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in children in Ireland. Routine use of conjugate pneumococcal vaccine would have a significant impact on pneumococcal disease, especially in vaccinated children but also in unvaccinated children and older adults.