International Study Tests Promising Vaccine Against 21 Strains Of Pneumococcus

A caller vaccine for pneumococcal illness will beryllium tested nether an world proceedings aiming to supply greater protection to babies against nan communal infection that causes pneumonia, sinusitis and meningitis.

The Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) led study is evaluating a promising vaccine developed to protect against 21 strains of pneumococcus, up from nan existent 13 strains included successful nan National Immunisation Program (NIP).

The Melbourne limb of nan randomized controlled proceedings is recruiting 50 families pinch heathy 2 period olds who haven't had their first regular vaccinations.

Participants will person 4 doses of nan vaccine astatine two, four, and six months of property and a booster dose astatine 12-15 months. All recommended puerility vaccines connected nan NIP will beryllium fixed to babies during nan study alongside nan pneumococcal vaccine.

Pneumococcal illness tin lead to superior unwellness and decease among children nether 2 years of age. In 2024, 602 cases of invasive pneumococcal illness were reported successful Victoria, 373 of these were among 0-4 twelvemonth olds.

MCRI Professor Margie Danchin said having a vaccine that could connection broader protection was important to protecting much children from terrible preventable infections and death.

Pneumococcal infections are caused by a communal germs that lives successful nan chemoreceptor and pharynx and tin lead to superior complications specified arsenic pneumonia and terrible infections of nan bloodstream and lining of nan brain.

There are much than 90 different strains of nan pneumococcal germs and nary vaccine is capable to protect against each strain. But our proceedings of this caller pneumococcal vaccine, which has shown bully results successful earlier studies and will protect against 21 strains, has nan imaginable to prevention much lives.

We ever request to guarantee that children and families are being offered nan champion protection against terrible illness pinch caller and improved vaccines. However, we request to show that they are safe and tin trigger a protective antibody consequence successful young children earlier they tin beryllium introduced into nan nationalist immunisation schedule."

Margie Danchin, MCRI Professor 

Lisa, whose girl Lucy, 3 months, is taking portion successful nan trial, said she welcomed nan opportunity to play a portion successful uncovering a much effective pneumococcal vaccine.

"Being a nurse, I cognize really ace important vaccination is to keeping my babe safe," she said. As a genitor of a young baby, particularly successful nan wintertime months, you conscionable want arsenic overmuch protection arsenic possible.

"Without tests for illustration this we wouldn't observe better, much effective vaccines. Research is what helps to safe impervious our children for nan future."

The proceedings is aiming to enlistee much than 1600 babies crossed Australia, nan US, Puerto Rico, Honduras, South Korea and Thailand.

Participants will beryllium enrolled successful nan study for up to 19 months, which will besides see 3 humor tests. For much specifications connected nan study email [email protected] aliases sojourn www.mcri.edu.au/research/projects/pneumococcal-vaccine-study-infants aliases redcap.link/VIRGo-PSK03