Increased Incidence of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease among Children after COVID-19 Pandemic, England

Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Aug;28(8):1669-1672. doi: 10.3201/eid2808.220304.

Abstract

During July-December 2021, after COVID-19 restrictions were removed in England, invasive pneumococcal disease incidence in children <15 years of age was higher (1.96/100,000 children) than during the same period in 2020 (0.7/100,000 children) and in prepandemic years 2017-2019 (1.43/100,000 children). Childhood vaccine coverage should be maintained to protect the population.

Keywords: COVID-19; England; SARS-CoV-2; United Kingdom; bacteria; coronavirus disease; epidemiologic surveillance; incidence; invasive pneumococcal disease; pneumococcal diseases; pneumococcal vaccines; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; vaccine-preventable diseases; viruses.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Child
  • England / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumococcal Infections* / epidemiology
  • Pneumococcal Infections* / prevention & control
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines

Substances

  • Pneumococcal Vaccines