The Evolving Epidemiology of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Australian Children: A Multicentre Retrospective Observational Study

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Background: In Australia, high pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) coverage has been achieved, yet invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) continues to cause a significant burden of disease. The epidemiology of IPD was altered by the nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) used to control the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. We aimed to analyze this impact on the clinical characteristics associated with IPD in Australian children. Method: We systematically evaluated the clinical and microbiological characteristics of IPD in children (<18 years) presenting to 4 Australian children's hospitals 2 years before (2017-2018: prepandemic) and after (2021-2022: postpandemic) the implementation of NPIs to mitigate COVID-19. Case counts and proportions were used to compare clinical presentations. Results: = .001). Conclusions: Alternations in the prevalence of respiratory viral transmission influence the epidemiology and clinical presentation of IPD. Newer PCVs and the implementation of immunization programs that target viral pathogens associated with IPD may reduce the ongoing burden of IPD in children.

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