Vaccinating children against pneumococcal diseases is a key public health priority

The introduction of pneumococcal vaccines in pediatric care has significantly reduced antibiotic use and contributed to the fight against antibiotic resistance (ABR), a growing global health issue. This is outlined in a document by the Order of Pharmacists in Rome, titled ‘Ethics and deontology of vaccinations: focus on pneumococcal in pediatrics’. Pneumococcus is a major pathogen causing severe and antibiotic-resistant infections. In Italy, it is the leading cause of invasive bacterial diseases, particularly in people over 65 and children aged 0 to 4. Implementing pneumococcal vaccination for children is key to decreasing the spread of this microorganism and providing indirect protection to unvaccinated individuals. Vaccinated people are less likely to be carriers, making vaccination a public health priority. It helps prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains and protects at-risk groups like the elderly.