Paediatric Pneumococcal Pneumonia in Malaysia Prior to and During Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) Implementation

The purpose of this research is to provide baseline surveillance of pneumonia in young children in Malaysia before and during the implementation of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that can cause mild to life-threatening disease among all age groups but is the leading infectious cause of death among children globally. The most common cause of pneumonia is infection with a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus. Hence, immunisation with a pneumococcal vaccine is an effective way to prevent pneumonia. In Malaysia, pneumococcal vaccination under the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) for children has since commenced in December 2020, comprising of 3 doses at four, six and 15 months. The routine use of PCV in children will contribute to reducing the burden of pneumococcal infections in the country, especially severe infections. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may also have implications on the pneumococcal serotype and clinical presentation of infections in the community.