In a new policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announcedchildhood immunization recommendations for use of the newest form of the pneumococcal vaccine.

The pneumococcal vaccine helps prevent childhood diseases caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus. Pneumococcal infections are the most common invasive bacterial infections in children in the United States. Pneumococcal infections cause about 1,400 cases of meningitis, 17,000 cases of bloodstream infections, and 71,000 cases of pneumonia every year in children under age 5.

The new AAP guidelines state that the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) is recommended for use in all children 23 months of age and younger. Although other pneumococcal vaccines are available, PCV7 represents the first pneumococcal vaccine approved for use in children younger than age 2.

The policy recommends that PCV7 be given concurrently with other recommended childhood vaccines at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months. The number of PCV7 doses required depends upon the age at which vaccination is initiated.

The vaccine is also recommended for all children 24 to 59 months of age who are at especially high risk of invasive pneumococcal infection. This includes children with sickle cell disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and other children who are immunocompromised.

Immunization continues to be the most effective method of preventing disease, disability and death in children.