Single Dose of Pneumococcal Vaccine Shown to substantially Protect Children Against Invasive Disease
New research indicates a single dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) can provide significant protection against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children, offering a potential strategy for optimizing vaccination schedules and reaching underserved populations.A systematic literature review, published in Infectious Diseases Therapy (2025), found that PCV7, PCV10, and PCV13 administered during teh first year of life demonstrate effectiveness against IPD, with protection increasing as children age.
The study, led by Dunne, Hong, Althouse, and colleagues, marks the first systematic review to specifically examine the effectiveness of a single PCV dose against vaccine-type IPD in children. Investigators concluded that “Our findings support vaccination strategies based on the use of a single toddler dose in transition schedules or catch-up programs.”
Pneumococcal disease, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, can led to serious infections like pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. While current recommendations typically involve a series of PCV doses, the research suggests choice approaches may be viable, notably in situations where completing the full series is challenging. The findings could be especially impactful in under-resourced areas where single-dose vaccination campaigns could maximize community protection.Researchers acknowledge the need for further inquiry into the effectiveness of newer, higher-valency PCVs in both fully and incompletely vaccinated children. Background data from Musher, Anderson, and Feldman (2022) in Pneumonia highlights the ongoing challenges in pneumococcal vaccination despite its remarkable history. The World Health Organization, GAVI Alliance, UNICEF, and the CDC reported progress in pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction worldwide between 2000 and 2008 (2008 MMWR). Current recommendations from the CDC (October 26, 2024, accessed September 2, 2025) and considerations for policymakers regarding dosing schedules (Whitney, Goldblatt, and O’Brien, 2014 Pediatr Infect Dis J) continue to shape vaccination strategies. A study in Brazil also demonstrated the effectiveness of a ten-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Domingues et al.,2014 Lancet Respir Med).
