pneumokokkikonjugoitut

Pneumokokkikonjugoitut are a class of vaccines that protect against infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, commonly known as pneumococcus. These conjugate vaccines link polysaccharide antigens from the bacterial capsule to a protein carrier, enabling the immune system to recognize and remember the antigens, thereby eliciting a stronger and longer‑lasting cellular response than the earlier polysaccharide vaccines. The conjugation technique also allows the vaccine to be effective in infants and young children, whose immune systems respond poorly to polysaccharide antigens alone.

The most widely used pneumokokkikonjugoitut are the 10‑valent (PCV10), 13‑valent (PCV13), and the more recently introduced 20‑valent (PCV20) formulations. Each variant targets a specific set of pneumococcal capsule serotypes, covering the majority of serotypes responsible for invasive diseases such as meningitis, bacteremia, and pneumococcal pneumonia. The 13‑valent formulation, for example, protects against 13 of the 92 known serotypes and is recommended for routine immunisation of children, adolescents and older adults in many countries.

Vaccination with pneumokokkikonjugoitut is recommended as part of routine childhood immunisation schedules in most high‑income countries and is also advised for high‑risk adults, such as the elderly and those with immunocompromising conditions. Clinical trials have demonstrated a significant reduction in invasive pneumococcal disease and in the carriage of vaccine‑serotype strains, leading to herd immunity effects in communities with high vaccine uptake. Side‑effects are generally mild, including local injection‑site pain, low‑grade fever, and transient fatigue.