May 27, 2010
On May 24, 2010 the AAP posted the new policy statement "Recommendations for the Prevention of Streptococcus pneumoniae Infections in Infants and Children: Use of 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) and Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23)."

After the introduction of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), dramatic decreases in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), attributable to Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in the vaccine, were noted in children. However, IPD caused by nonvaccine pneumococcal serotypes has increased, and nonvaccine serotypes are now responsible for the majority of the remaining cases of IPD occurring in children. The US Food and Drug Administration has licensed a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13), which, in addition to the 7 serotypes included in the original PCV7, contains the 6 pneumococcal serotypes responsible for 63% of IPD cases now occurring in children younger than 5 years. Because of the expanded coverage provided by PCV13, it will replace PCV7.

For more information, read the entire AAP policy statement.