A new study in the Lancet Global Health has found that delays in pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) roll-out globally and low PCV coverage have cost many lives. Researchers from the National University of Singapore and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine carried out a modelling study of impact and cost-effectiveness of introducing the 13-valent PCV (PCV13) in 112 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in children younger than 5 years, in an update to a study of the potential impact and cost-effectiveness of the vaccine in 2015. The findings showed that PCV13 could prevent 697,000 deaths, 46 million disability-adjusted life years, and 131 million cases in these 112 countries between 2000 and 2030, and that an additional 146,000 deaths could be prevented if PCV coverage increased to DTP coverage levels. The findings of the study underscore the importance of rapidly scaling up PCV to achieve high coverage and maximise vaccine impact. The major health benefits of PCV by preventing diseases and saving lives, far outweigh the costs of providing the vaccine to those who need it.
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