We’re looking for a new vaccine to help the children who need it most

Vaccines already exist for some types of pneumococcal disease, but they do not work for every type of the disease or for everyone who needs protection. PATH is looking for a pneumococcal vaccine that will protect children the world over against this deadly infection.

Making it possible

Streptococcus pneumoniae, or “pneumococcus,” causes pneumonia and infections of the brain and blood—and the deaths of up to one million children under age five each year.

Vaccines exist that can protect children now, and they should be used; however, they only protect against certain types of the bacterium (those most common in the industrialized countries). Additional vaccines are ultimately needed to protect children in low-income countries, where most pneumococcus deaths occur.

One approach that holds particular promise is the development of “common protein” vaccines. Certain proteins are common to all pneumococcus types. A vaccine containing these proteins could provide broad protection.

PATH is working to identify potential new vaccines and to assist researchers in their development. For example, we’re cataloging collections of pneumococcus around the world (researchers need access to the various types!), figuring out how to best evaluate vaccine candidates as they are developed, and identifying ways to streamline the production of the new vaccines so that, once they become available, they are affordable to public health systems in low-income countries.

All hands on deck

PATH’s expertise in building partnerships allows us to tap both public- and private-sector resources and knowledge. We are reaching out to researchers in universities and biotech firms, vaccine manufacturers, and various international health partners—to every individual and institution that can help realize our goal or speed up progress.

We expect that at least one vaccine candidate will be in clinical trials in a few years. The goal is for the vaccine to be safe, effective, and affordable and offer broad protection—a vaccine that’s a match for the pneumococcal diseases that affect children in the developing world.

For more information about pneumococcal disease and vaccines, check out our Vaccine Resource Library.

Photo: Wendy Stone.