Use of seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in Europe, 2001-2007

The first pneumococcal vaccine targeting the youngest age groups, a seven-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV7), was licensed in Europe in 2001. Since then several European countries have introduced PCV7 in their childhood vaccination schedules. Still, information on vaccination schemes, vaccine uptake and impact of vaccine introduction is scarce in Europe. The following article summarises the characteristics of national pneumococcal vaccination programmes for children in 32 European countries and provides an estimate of vaccine use based on sales data for 22 countries between 2001 and 2007. There were wide variations in the recommended PCV7 vaccination schemes and in PCV7 use. High vaccine uptake was not always related to the presence of a national vaccination programme.