Persistence of pneumococcal antibodies after primary immunisation with a polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine

Abstract

Introduction Despite immunisation, antibiotics and intensive care management, infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The WHO currently recommends vaccinating infants with either a 3+0 schedule (6 weeks, 3-4 and 4-6 months of age) or 2+1 schedule (2 doses before 6 months of age, plus a booster dose at 9-15 months of age). This study investigated pneumococcal antibody responses, including persistence of antibodies, after immunisation of healthy infants with a 3+0 schedule. Methods We measured pneumococcal antibody concentrations to all 13 antigens included in the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) after immunisation w..