Clinical effectiveness and impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease among children with risk conditions: A systematic literature review.
Kyla Hayford, Maria J Tort, Liping Huang et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic literature review assessed PCV13 efficacy, effectiveness, and population impact for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and all-cause pneumonia in children with immunocompromising or chronic medical risk conditions. Searches identified 11 eligible studies from 3008 records, covering several conditions including sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, and post-transplant status. Among children with immunocompromising conditions, reported vaccine effectiveness against PCV13-type IPD ranged from 83.8% to 91%. Population-level reductions in IPD were also reported, but varied by condition and outcome. The authors considered the findings supportive of vaccination while noting that the evidence was limited and heterogeneous.
Key findings
- Across studies of children with immunocompromising conditions, PCV13 effectiveness against PCV13-type IPD ranged from 83.8% to 91%.
- Compared with the pre-PCV era, PCV13 introduction was associated with 86% to 100% lower IPD due to any serotype in children with sickle cell disease.
- In children with cancer, PCV13 introduction was associated with 55% to 80% lower IPD due to any serotype.
- Among children with HIV, reported incidence rate reductions for any IPD ranged from 9.1% to 81%, varying by comparison period, age group, and outcome.
Why it matters
Children with immunocompromising or chronic medical conditions are at risk of pneumococcal disease, yet evidence on PCV13 in these groups is relatively sparse. The review brings together effectiveness and population-impact findings across several risk conditions, helping frame the evidence base for prevention while highlighting that estimates differ across populations and study outcomes.
What to keep in mind
Only 11 studies were included, and the authors describe the evidence as limited and heterogeneous; reported impact varied by condition, comparison period, age group, and outcome.