- Elashmawy M, et al. Impaired response to 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in children with recurrent respiratory infections and chronic cough. Poster 3150. ERS 2021, 5-8 September.
While most healthy infants and children develop antibodies to the majority of serotypes included in PCV13, children with immunodeficiencies are known for their impaired response. The current study retrospectively examined the incidence of impaired PCV13 response in children with RRI and/or CC referred to a tertiary paediatric respiratory centre. A total of 137 patients were included with an age between 2-15 years old. All were identified with RRI and/or CC during a previous functional antibodies (FAB) test 2 years before.
Diagnosis of asthma (37%) and preschool wheeze (42%) were frequently identified. Of participating children, 33% of patients suffering from RRI and/or CC had an impaired response to PCV13, while 37% of patients with a history of RRI showed an impaired response. Those on prophylactic azithromycin or on moderate to high dose of corticosteroids were more likely to have an impaired response to PCV13. The investigators suggested that children who fail to develop an immune response against PCV13 may be considered for an additional dose.