38.5%儿童肺炎“元凶”是肺炎球菌，专家呼吁强化疫苗预防

Core Insights - The vaccination rate for the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in China is significantly low at 7.3%, compared to the global average of 47.9% in 2019, leading to a high incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) among children [1][4] - Pneumonia remains a major health threat, particularly for children under five, with China accounting for 12% of global cases, indicating a severe public health challenge [3][4] Vaccination and Disease Statistics - A national study indicated that from 2009 to 2019, pneumococcus accounted for 38.5% of acute respiratory infections in children under five in China [1] - Approximately 8,000 children under five die annually from pneumococcal diseases, with a mortality rate of 25% among those with pneumococcal meningitis [3] Challenges in Vaccination - The "six highs and one low" phenomenon describes the high rates of pneumococcal carriage, cases, complications, antibiotic resistance, and mortality, contrasted with the low vaccination rate [3] - Key challenges include inappropriate antibiotic use, high antibiotic resistance rates (46.1% multi-drug resistance among IPD patients), and the economic burden of treatment [3][4] Vaccine Hesitancy and Public Awareness - Vaccine hesitancy is identified as a significant barrier to increasing vaccination rates, stemming from a lack of scientific understanding regarding safety and efficacy [5][6] - Recommendations to address vaccine hesitancy include transparent communication, personalized education, and authoritative sources of information [6] Regional Disparities - There is a notable regional disparity in vaccination rates, with over 50% of PCV13 vaccinations reported from eastern regions, while central and western regions account for only 36.8% [7] - Improving vaccine accessibility in rural and remote areas is essential, with calls for enhanced public health infrastructure and education [7]