:: Key messages of PneumoCarr

What is the problem?
Pneumococcus is a major cause of mortality and morbidity that is vaccine-preventable. The current evaluation of new pneumococcal vaccines for licensure is expensive and time-consuming, and decision-making may be based on insufficient information. This is complicating the worldwide implementation of life-saving pneumococcal vaccines.

What is the solution?
Carriage of pneumococcus precedes disease and is the reservoir for spread between people. Understanding the impact of vaccine on carriage will advance decision-making for both new and existing pneumococcal vaccines.

How do we arrive at that solution?
By combining statistical modeling, immunological studies and global epidemiological data, we have developed methods and guidelines to estimate vaccine effect on carriage. These methods are expected to facilitate and expand the licensure of new pneumococcal vaccines and to enable the estimation of population effects after vaccine introduction.