Pediatria pre prax 4/2007

PREVENTION OF PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE IN RISK GROUP OF CHILDREN

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial agens of invasive infections, pneumonia and acute otitis media in infants and children. After the introduction of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) to routine use, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease has significantly been decreased. Moreover, the decrease in number of pneumonia and acute otitis media in children has been noted. This efficacy of PCV7 was verified in Slovakia, too. We inform about specification of risk groups for pneumococcal disease, financial compensation of PCV7 for these groups, the extension of indications of PCV7 for pneumonia and otitis and on new recommended vaccination schedule.

Keywords: pneumococcal disease, children, vaccination, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, risk grou