Beneficial effect of pneumococcal vaccination on otitis media in children over two years old.
The effect of immunization with a 14-valent pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax) was studied in a double-blind trial in which 405 children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years were matched in vaccine/control pairs according to age and history of otitis media. The fact that all the children attended day-care centres ensured that both vaccinees and controls were similarly exposed to upper respiratory tract pathogens. The total incidence of acute otitis media was reduced during a 2-year follow-up period by 24% (P less than 0.05) among those vaccinated between the ages of 2 and 5. For recurrent episodes a decrease by 40% was noted. Protective efficacy was demonstrable during the first post-vaccinational year, but not when more than 1 year had lapsed after the vaccination. These findings suggest that, while the vaccine had not effect on children under 2 years old, it may be a useful aid in preventing recurrent attacks of otitis media in children between 2 and 5 years of age.
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology*
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines