Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium that is the cause of a number of common diseases, ranging from serious diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia to milder infections such as sinusitis and otitis media. Pneumococcal diseases are a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, more severely affecting young children and the elderly. WHO recommends the inclusion of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) in childhood immunization programmes, particularly in countries with high childhood mortality.

In SEAR, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar have introduced PCV. India planning to introduce PCV on a state-by-state basis.