Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines Shows Potential in Reducing Viral Respiratory Tract Infections: Study

Recent studies suggest that pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) may not only prevent pneumococcal disease but also have an impact on viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs) through pneumococcal-viral interactions. To evaluate the broader effects of PCVs, a systematic review of interventional and observational studies from 2000 to 2022 was conducted. This study was published in The Journal Of Infectious Diseases by Ingrid T. and colleagues.

The systematic review analyzed 16 studies from 2000 to 2022, focusing on the vaccine efficacy/adjusted effectiveness (VE) and overall impact of PCV7, PCV9, PCV10, or PCV13 against viral RTIs. Studies included both interventional and observational designs, with a particular emphasis on pediatric populations.

Key Findings:

• PCVs showed varying degrees of efficacy against viral RTIs in children, particularly against influenza, with VE ranging from 41% to 86%.

• A randomized controlled trial demonstrated the efficacy of PCV9 against various viral RTIs, including human seasonal coronavirus, parainfluenza, and human metapneumovirus.

• Limited data on PCV effectiveness in adults showed consistency with pediatric findings, although evidence was sparse.

• PCV13 exhibited VE ranging from 4% to 25% against viral lower RTIs, 32% to 35% against COVID-19 outcomes, and 24% to 51% against human seasonal coronavirus.

• No significant protection was observed against adenovirus or rhinovirus in either children or adults.

PCVs demonstrated efficacy against select viral RTIs, with the most robust evidence seen in influenza prevention among children. While limited, data in adults align with pediatric findings, suggesting a potential broader impact of PCVs beyond pneumococcal disease. This highlights the importance of considering the full spectrum of PCV effects in public health evaluations.

Reference:

Sepúlveda-Pachón, I. T., Dunne, E. M., Hanquet, G., Baay, M., Menon, S., Jodar, L., Gessner, B. D., & Theilacker, C. Effect of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on viral respiratory infections: a systematic literature review. The Journal of Infectious Diseases,2024, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiae125