Pneumococcal Vaccine Program for Developing Countries

The current price of the pneumococcal vaccine is about $70 in US and European countries. The Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) program will provide incentive for pharmaceutical companies to develop vaccines against diseases raging in poor countries by guarantee of fixed price purchase. G8 countries - among them UK, Canada, Italy, Norway and Russia will invest nearly $1.5 billion to the Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) program. Private philanthropic foundations, like the Gates Foundation, will also participate in the program. This program may help to bring down price of the pneumococcal vaccine to $3.5 for poor countries. About 1.6 million people die every year from pneumococcal diseases.

Vaccination is important for preventing pneumonia in both children and adults. Vaccinations against Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae in the first year of life have greatly reduced the role these bacteria play in causing pneumonia in children. Vaccinating children against Streptococcus pneumoniae has also led to a decreased incidence of these infections in adults because many adults acquire infections from children. Hib vaccine is now widely used around the globe. The childhood pneumococcal vaccine is still as of 2009 predominantly used in high-income countries, though this is changing. In 2009, Rwanda became the first low-income country to introduce pneumococcal conjugate vaccine into their national immunization program.

A vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae is also available for adults. In the U.S., it is currently recommended for all healthy individuals older than 65 and any adults with emphysema, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis of the liver, alcoholism, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, or those who do not have a spleen. A repeat vaccination may also be required after five or ten years.

Influenza vaccines should be given yearly to the same individuals who receive vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae. In addition, health care workers, nursing home residents, and pregnant women should receive the vaccine. When an influenza outbreak is occurring, medications such as amantadine, rimantadine, zanamivir, and oseltamivir can help prevent influenza.