This article, published in Vaccine, discusses the benefits and challenges of implementing maternal immunization as a method of preventing infections in the developing world. Specifically, the article discusses the high incidence of pneumococcal infections in many developing countries and that about 25 percent of these infections occur at an age before protection could be anticipated following vaccination with a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in infancy. Thus, a strong case can be made for a trial of the effectiveness of maternal immunization with a pneumococcal vaccine in order to prevent serious illness or death in young infants in developing countries. ABSTRACT ONLY. (Learn how users in developing countries can gain free access to journal articles.)

Author(s): Greenwood B

Published: 2003

Resource types: Peer-reviewed journal

Diseases: Pneumococcus

Topics: Vaccine safety; Disease/vaccine specific information

Regions: Global