Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination - expert consensus. Further development of current recommendations from the expert commission on pneumococcal vaccination in 2- to 5-year-old children

In addition to a 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination (PCV10), a 13-valent vaccination (PCV13) has been available in Germany since December 2009. Changing from PCV7 to PCV13 is possible and problem-free at any point in a vaccine series; from PCV7 to PCV 10, however, only at booster vaccine. The question arises as to whether an additional vaccine with PCV13 is advisable for those children having completed PCV7 and PCV10 vaccine series. Children at increased risk of pneumococcal infection according to the guidelines set out by the Standing Vaccination Committee (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute who have been vaccinated with PCV7 but not with PPV23 should in principle be vaccinated with PCV13. The risk group could possibly also include healthy children cared for in public facilities from an early age. Children already pre-vaccinated with PPV23 (according to PCV7 or PCV10 vaccine), as well as those only vaccinated with PPV23 should receive the PCV13 vaccine, whereby in the case of the latter a minimum interval of 8 weeks should be observed. In any event, paediatricians should evaluate the individual risk of each patient and make recommendations to their parents not only on the basis of STIKO recommendations, but also on the basis of what is most advisable.