Streptococcus pneumoniae is commonly carried in the nasopharynx of children, and the infection can lead to a variety of diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and even lifelong sequelae, which not only brings serious health damage to children but also puts a heavy economic burden on families. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is the most cost-effective means to prevent pneumococcal diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed it as a very high-priority vaccine in its position paper, and most countries in the world have included it in their immunization programs. China’s PCV vaccination coverage is far below the international average and unevenly distributed across different regions, which needs to be addressed by improving vaccine pricing, financing, and vaccination services to meet children’s health needs.
The PCV evidence pool sorts out the major domestic and international research findings to provide high-quality evidence for policymakers, media, and other key stakeholders, aiming to lay a solid foundation for PCV vaccination policy advocacy in China.
