The programmes follow the implementation of a large-scale pneumococal vaccine efficacy trial using PCV 9 in 2001.  According to Dawda Sowe, Communications Officer EPI Unit, the PCV 9 was found to be very effective.

Commenting on the new vaccines, Sowe said PCV 7 is “safe and efficacious and is used routinely in industrialized countries.” He added that PCV 7 is the only licensed and available pneumococcal conjugate vaccine which contains seven serotypes.

PCV 7 has been used to vaccinate controls and on other children in Gambian trial without any reported safety issues.

In May 2008, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) approved Gambia’s proposals to introduce PCV-7 and to switch to pentavalent vaccines.

Prior to implementation, the technical team which took part in the trials was reviewed and updated training guidelines put in place for PCV-7 and Penta and developed a road map for the vaccines’ introduction.  The WHO Country Office provided technical and financial support.

It is reported that globally, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality are pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. Of these, the WHO estimates that 80 percent are directly linked to Streptococcus pneumonia (the most common cause of bacterial meningitis, community-acquired pneumonia, bacteremia and otitis media).  It is widely believed that at least half of these occur in children under 5 and mostly in developing countries.

In Gambia, invasive pneumococcal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the West African country.