Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine ten valent (PCV 10) was introduced into Nigeria in three phases. Phase 3 introduction started in August 2016. However, its impact on pneumonia admissions and mortality among vaccinated Nigerian children has not been determined. Data in the period before PCV-10 introduction (3 August 2013-2 August 2016), and after (3 August 2017-2 August 2020) were retrospectively extracted from the medical charts of eligible patients aged 3-24 months with hospitalized radiological pneumonia at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan; National Hospital (NH), Abuja; and Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe, allowing for an intervening period of 1 year. Proportions of the patients with hospitalized pneumonia and case fatality rates were determined during both periods. The results were compared using z-test, multiple logistic regression analysis and p < .05 was considered significant. Adjusted pneumonia hospitalization rates between the two periods increased at the NH Abuja (10.7% vs 14.6%); decreased at the UCH, Ibadan (8.7% vs 6.9%); and decreased at the FTH, Gombe (28.5% vs 18.9%). Case fatality rates decreased across all the sites during the post-PCV introduction period: NH Abuja, from 6.6% to 4.4% (p = .106); FTH, Gombe, 11.7% to 7.7% (p = .477); and UCH, Ibadan, 2.0% to 0% (p = .045); but only significant at Ibadan. Overall, proportion of hospitalized pneumonia cases decreased after 3 years of PCV 10 introduction into the National Immunization Programme in Nigeria. The case fatality rate during post-PCV 10 introduction decreased at all the three sites, but this difference was significant at the UCH, Ibadan.
Keywords: Nigeria; PCV-10; childhood pneumonia; hospitalizations; mortality.
Pneumonia is the commonest killer of Nigerian children aged less than 5 years. Pneumonia vaccine (PCV 10) was introduced into Nigeria Vaccination Program between 2014 and 2016, but up till now the value has not been confirmed. We conducted a retrospective study in which data before and after PCV 10 introduction were compared. The study sites were the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan; National Hospital (NH), Abuja; and Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe. The data were extracted from the medical charts of eligible patients aged 3–24 months who were admitted for severe pneumonia with evidences on lung radiographs. We found that the proportion of hospitalized pneumonia cases decreased after 3 years of PCV 10 introduction into the National Immunization Program in Nigeria. The death rate during post-PCV 10 introduction decreased at all the three sites, but was only significantly decreased at the UCH, Ibadan.