Implication of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines to
Public Health: Thailand Perspective
Jurai Wongsawat MD*,
Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit MD**
Affiliation :
* Pediatric Unit, Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Nonthaburi, Thailand
** Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have demonstrated good safety profile and efficacy against invasive
pneumococcal diseases (IPD) caused by the serotypes included in the vaccines. The PCV also benefit to the unvaccinated
children and adults from herd immunity. With the widespread use of the vaccine, emerging of non vaccine serotypes has been
documented. The IPD burden in Thailand was found to be lower than that found in the western countries but the data in high
risk population has been lacking. The PCV has been available in Thailand since 2006 as an optional vaccine, out of National
Vaccine Program, with the uptake of less than 5% in children under 5 years of age. The serotypes distribution in Thailand has
not changed significantly. In the year 2000-2005, compared with year 2006-2009, the most common serotypes in children <
5 years have been similar; comprising of 6B, 23F, 14, and 19F, however 19A has become more prevalence ( 6.2%) in the years
2006-2009. With the new breakpoint of penicillin susceptibility for non-meningeal strains, most penumococcal isolates in
Thailand were susceptible to penicillin. To project the benefit for widespread use of PCV in Thailand, the cost benefit analyses
including the different types of PCV, the various dosing schedule, the benefit from herd immunity and the disadvantage of
serotype replacement are needed.
Keywords : Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines, Impact, Thailand
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