Estimated pneumococcal disease burden in children due to serotypes covered by different pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in five Latin American countries - Report - MDSpire

Estimated pneumococcal disease burden in children due to serotypes covered by different pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in five Latin American countries

  • By

  • Sophie Warren

  • Rafael Bolanos

  • Lucila Rey-Ares

  • Juan Manuel Reyes

  • Jose Luis Huerta

  • Alana Ranzi

  • Rodrigo Fernandes Alexandre

  • Maria Gabriela Abalos

  • Liping Huang

  • May 21, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Assessment of Pneumococcal Disease Impact in Children

Overview

This study estimates the clinical, economic, and societal burden of pneumococcal disease in children under 5 years old across five Latin American countries, highlighting the ongoing impact of serotypes not covered by existing vaccines. The findings indicate that higher-valent vaccines like PCV15 and PCV20 could significantly reduce this burden.

Background

Pneumococcal disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in Latin America, despite the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). The burden of disease caused by serotypes not included in the currently used PCVs necessitates the evaluation of higher-valent vaccines to enhance protection. Understanding the impact of these serotypes is crucial for public health strategies aimed at reducing pediatric pneumococcal disease.

Data Highlights

CountryEstimated CasesEstimated DeathsEconomic Burden (USD)Societal Burden (USD)
Five Latin American Countries510,0002,700182 million34 million

Key Findings

  • PCV20 serotypes are responsible for over 510,000 pneumococcal disease cases annually in the studied countries.
  • Approximately 2,700 deaths are attributed to these serotypes each year.
  • The total economic burden exceeds USD $182 million, with societal costs over USD $34 million.
  • Non-invasive diseases, particularly pneumonia and otitis media, account for the majority of the burden.
  • In countries using PCV10, a significant portion of the disease burden is due to serotypes included in PCV13 but not PCV10.
  • Serotypes unique to PCV20 contribute significantly to the remaining disease burden, especially in countries using PCV13.

Clinical Implications

The findings underscore the need for healthcare providers to consider the limitations of current PCVs and the potential benefits of higher-valent vaccines like PCV20. Implementing these vaccines could lead to a substantial reduction in both clinical cases and economic burden associated with pneumococcal disease in young children.

Conclusion

The study highlights the persistent burden of pneumococcal disease in Latin America despite existing vaccination efforts. Transitioning to higher-valent vaccines may be essential for further reducing this public health challenge.

Related Resources & Content

  1. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2023 -- Distribution of Pneumococcal Serotypes and Evaluation of Current and Upcoming Pneumococcal Vaccines' Coverage
  2. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2023 -- Navigating the Evolving Field of Enhanced Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines
  3. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2023 -- The Burden of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease and the Effects of 7- and 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in Singaporean Pediatric Population Over 24 Years
  4. WHO position paper: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in infants and children aged <5 years – September 2025
  5. The Journal of Infectious Diseases — Assessing the Relationship Between Vaccine-Induced Serum Antibody Levels and Protection Against Pneumococcal Colonization by Serotype
  6. Direct effect of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on invasive pneumococcal disease in children in the Latin American and Caribbean region
  7. A phase 3 study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
  8. WHO position paper: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in infants and children aged <5 years – September 2025

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