Safety and tolerability of pneumococcal vaccines in children

A number of pneumococcal vaccines have long been available and have been used to reduce the medical, social, and economic problems associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae-related diseases. Areas covered: The main purpose of this review was to analyze what has been, until recently, the established doctrine regarding the safety and tolerability of pneumococcal vaccines that have been used in the past and are currently being used in children. Expert opinion: Pneumococcal vaccines available on the market are all safe and are highly recommended in clinical practice. In children, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are considered the preparations of choice because of their enhanced immunogenicity and superior ability to impact nasopharyngeal carriage. All PCVs are considered safe because the incidence of severe adverse events (AEs) is marginal. Nonetheless, evidence has emerged from post-marketing surveillance regarding the occurrence of very rare but significant potential AEs following PCV administration. Therefore, post-marketing surveillance should be maintained to confirm the existence of these AEs. Over the next few years, other pneumococcal vaccines will be developed. When these new products are licensed and reach the market, new technologies and innovative epidemiological methods will permit a more rapid and more effective evaluation of AEs.