Systematic literature review on pneumococcal vaccination recommendations in national immunization programs for the pediatric population in select areas in the Asia Pacific region.

Abstract / Summary

The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the most recent national immunization programs (NIPs) for pneumococcal vaccinations among pediatric populations and changes in disease burden pre/post vaccination availability in 14 select Asia Pacific (AP) areas: Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. This review included articles published in MEDLINE and Embase from January 1, 2000, to August 2, 2024. Websites were also searched on June 1, 2025, for the most recent NIP schedules. A total of 47 publications were identified. Information on pneumococcal vaccine funding, eligible NIP groups, and patient cohorts (e.g., age groups) was extracted for pediatric populations. Across AP areas, NIPs are inconsistently established. There is a strong need to communicate the burden of pneumococcal disease and benefits of pneumococcal vaccinations in pediatric populations to the general public and to policymakers.

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