Evaluating the effectiveness of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and clinical and demographic characteristics on pneumococcal carriage density in young children

High nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage density is associated with severe pneumonia; however, little is known about factors that affect pneumococcal carriage density including pneumococcal vaccination. We describe pneumococcal density by clinical and demographic factors, and effect of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) on density in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and Mongolia, 3–6 years following national PCV13 introduction.

Citation:
von Mollendorf C, Jagne I, Ashley EA, Blyth CC, Chan J, et al.. Evaluating the effectiveness of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and clinical and demographic characteristics on pneumococcal carriage density in young children in Papua New Guinea, Lao PDR, and Mongolia. BMC Infect Dis. 2026;26(1).

Keywords:
Carriage; Children; Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines; Pneumococcal nasopharyngeal density

Abstract:
High nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage density is associated with severe pneumonia; however, little is known about factors that affect pneumococcal carriage density including pneumococcal vaccination. We describe pneumococcal density by clinical and demographic factors, and effect of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) on density in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and Mongolia, 3–6 years following national PCV13 introduction.