MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Children Aged 5 Years Caused by Serotypes Now Covered by a New 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine – United States, 2007

CDC
Division of Media Relations           
(404) 639-3286

Transition from PCV7 to PCV13 immunization program has the potential to greatly reduce the burden of pneumococcal disease among children aged <5 years. Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, is a major cause of bacteremia, meningitis, and pneumonia worldwide. Infant vaccination with the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) since 2000 has dramatically reduced rates of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in the U.S., but infections caused by pneumococcal strains not in PCV7 have increased. On February 24, 2010, a new 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was approved by the FDA and recommended for use by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP recommends PCV13 for all children 2-59 months of age and children with chronic illnesses through age 71 months. PCV13 expand protection against 6 additional pneumococcal strains and will replace PCV7 in the routine infant immunization schedule. In 2007, pneumococcal strains covered in PCV13 caused 64 percent of all IPD cases in children aged <5 years.

2. Licensure of a 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV 13) and Recommendations for Use Among Children Ages 6 weeks-71 months – Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP), 2010

CDC
Division of Media Relations 
(404) 639-3286

See summary for above article.

3. Short-Term Effects of Health-Care Coverage Legislation – Massachusetts, 2008

Liane Tinsley
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
(617) 624-5238

Health care reform legislation has had a positive effect on insurance coverage in Massachusetts, both overall and for historically underserved subpopulations. While these increases have narrowed the gap in insurance coverage for underserved populations, some groups continue to experience lower rates of annual checkup and less access to a personal care provider as compared to all Massachusetts residents. Efforts must be made to target outreach in order to close existing gaps in health insurance coverage and access to care among all state residents. Data from the Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were analyzed to measure the short-term impact of Massachusetts health care reform on health insurance coverage and access to care among different population groups of Massachusetts adults. Overall in Massachusetts, insurance coverage increased from 89 percent in 2005 to 97 percent in 2008, representing an estimated 300,000 additional insured. The study focused on the impact of the law on historically underinsured populations such as young adults, low income groups and Hispanics. Most population subgroups experienced substantial increases in health insurance coverage, with the Hispanic population benefitting most from the law (5 percent increase in insurance coverage for Black adults;11 percent increase for young males aged 18-34; and 14 percent increase for Hispanics).

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES