title: Control of pneumococcal disease in the United Kingdom--the start of a new era.
abstract: In 2000, a multi-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, known as Prevnar, was licensed for use in infants and young children in the USA. The subsequent introduction of the vaccine into the childhood immunization schedule in that country led to a significant decrease in pneumococcal disease. The vaccine is effective against invasive and non-invasive pneumococcal infection, can be used in young children as well as adults and, like all conjugate vaccines, provides long-lasting immunity. Moreover, it reduces the incidence of antibiotic resistance because a number of resistant serotypes are targeted by the vaccine. Prevnar, also known as Prevenar, has since been licensed in numerous countries, including the UK. On 8 February 2006, the Departments of Health in England, Scotland and Wales announced the inclusion of Prevenar in the childhood immunization schedule. This announcement has important implications for pneumococcal infection, disease surveillance and immunization policy in the UK.
authors.affiliation: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Health Protection Unit, Oakley Road and Molecular Microbiology Group, Division of Infection Inflammation and Repair, University of Southampton Medical School, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Stuart C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004351:Drug Resistance; D000069443:Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects; D006113:United Kingdom; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000069443:Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate