Which pneumococcal vaccine replaced PCV7 in routine immunization in 2010?

Which pneumococcal vaccine replaced PCV7 in routine immunization in 2010?

• A. PCV7
• B. PCV13
• C. PCV23
• D. PCV33

Answer: (B)

Expanding protection against pneumococcal serotypes is the key idea. In 2010, routine vaccination for children shifted from a vaccine covering 7 serotypes to a 13-valent vaccine. This new vaccine includes all seven serotypes from the earlier formulation plus six additional ones, notably serotype 19A, which had become a major cause of invasive pneumococcal disease after PCV7 was introduced. By broadening the serotype coverage while retaining the strong, conjugate immune response that works well in infants, PCV13 more effectively reduces invasive disease and other pneumococcal illnesses in kids, which is why it replaced PCV7 in routine immunization. The other options either refer to older or different-use vaccines (PCV7, PCV23) or aren’t standard pediatric routine vaccines, and a non-existent vaccine wouldn’t be used in this setting.

Expanding protection against pneumococcal serotypes is the key idea. In 2010, routine vaccination for children shifted from a vaccine covering 7 serotypes to a 13-valent vaccine. This new vaccine includes all seven serotypes from the earlier formulation plus six additional ones, notably serotype 19A, which had become a major cause of invasive pneumococcal disease after PCV7 was introduced. By broadening the serotype coverage while retaining the strong, conjugate immune response that works well in infants, PCV13 more effectively reduces invasive disease and other pneumococcal illnesses in kids, which is why it replaced PCV7 in routine immunization. The other options either refer to older or different-use vaccines (PCV7, PCV23) or aren’t standard pediatric routine vaccines, and a non-existent vaccine wouldn’t be used in this setting.