Drăgănescu Anca 1, Luminos Monica 1,2, Vișan Angelica 1,2, Bilașco Anuța 1, Negulescu Cristina 1, Dogaru Cornelia 1, Slavu Diana 1 , Streinu-Cercel A. 1,2
1 INBI “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, Bucharest
2 University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” Bucharest
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major pathogen involved in nasopharyngeal colonization and severe invasive disease like meningitis, bacteremia and pneumonia, especially in children < 5 years of age and adults ≥ 65 years of age, for whom routine pneumococcal vaccination is recommended. Other patients with high risk for invasive pneumococcal disease are those with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, CSF fistula, cochlear implant, chronic diseases or malignancy, for whom specific and well defined pneumococcal vaccination is recommended. In 2013 the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended the expanded use of PCV 13 for children aged 6-18 years with immunocompromising conditions, functional or anatomical asplenia, CSF fistulas or cochlear implants. For children aged 2-5 years with these conditions the recommendation for the use of PCV 13 was published in 2010.