Prevention of pneumococcal disease in children ... Which pneumococcal vaccine to use

Children under five years of age, but especially those under two years of age, are considered to be at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Vaccination plays an important role in preventing IPD. Conjugated vaccines have been found to be effective in reducing the disease among young children who have been vaccinated, as well as providing indirect protection (" herd protection") to unvaccinated older children and adults. Polysaccharide vaccines are not effective in children under two years of age and should only be used for children over two years of age who are at an increased risk of invasive disease and its complications. (c) Medpharm