Vietnam – On June 3 and 5, Pfizer Vietnam, in collaboration with the Vietnam Association of Preventive Medicine, organized a series of scientific symposia titled “The Role of Higher-Valency Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in Adults – Legacy and the Journey Ahead”, in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, respectively.
The symposia brought together over 1,000 healthcare professionals in respiratory medicine, preventive care, and epidemiology from Vietnam and abroad. The events served as a scientific forum to update colleagues on the burden of pneumococcal disease in adults over 50 years of age and in adults with non-communicable chronic conditions, while sharing international experiences and introducing a public health tool for prevention  ̶  a new, multi-pneumococcal serotype vaccine based on a foundation of conjugate technology.

Pneumococcus can pose complex healthcare challenges if not properly controlled.

In Vietnam, infection by the pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia[1] - where pneumonia is the most common infectious diseases and a top cause of mortality nationwide[2]. Beyond pneumonia, pneumococcal infections also contribute to life-threatening invasive infections like meningitis and bacteremia, which can carry a fatality rate of up to 40%, as well as prevalent conditions like otitis media[3].

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older age is an important risk factor for pneumococcal disease. Consequently, adults aged 50 and older are six times more likely to be hospitalized with pneumococcal pneumonia compared to healthy younger individuals[4]. In addition, adults of all ages with underlyingly non-communicable conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease face a 3 to 8 times higher risk of complications from pneumococcal infection, which can be severe, as compared to healthy peers in the same age group.4,[5]

Highlighting the hidden dangers of pneumococcus, Associate Professor Dr. Cao Huu Nghia, Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized: “Pneumococcus is an unpredictable danger, with over 100 known serotypes, and an estimated 5% to 90% of healthy individuals carrying the bacteria in their nasopharynx5. When the immune system weakens, either due to natural ageing or non-communicable chronic conditions such as kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)4, the body becomes more vulnerable. Once infected, pneumococcal diseases often progress rapidly, posing life-threatening risks, and places a significant financial burden not only on patients but also on the healthcare system.”

Pneumococcus is estimated to cause approximately 14.5 million severe cases and around 826,000 deaths globally each year[6]. Beyond its impact on individual health, the disease places a significant burden on patient families and on the healthcare systems.[7]

In Vietnam, the population is ageing rapidly, while non-communicable chronic conditions are increasingly affecting younger age groups[8], thereby expanding the population at-risk for pneumococcus diseases. Notably, invasive and potentially fatal pneumococcal serotypes continue to circulate in the population [9]. At the same time, antibiotic resistance among pneumococcal strains is compromising treatment options, even prolonging recovery and increasing healthcare costs[10]. In this context, experts warn that pneumococcal disease remains a major public health challenge and emphasize the urgent need for broader preventive solutions.
Presenting at the symposia, Associate Professor Dr. Le Khac Bao, Vice Director of the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized: “Pneumococcus has been, and continues to be, the leading bacterial cause of lower respiratory tract infections in adults[11]. While preventive measures are available, the disease burden continue to rise as the vulnerable population expands and serotypes outside the current protective scope become more prominant9. Therefore, strengthening preventive capacity and updating pneumococcal disease control strategies – including the introduction of a new conjugated vaccine offering protective coverage against both existing vaccine serotypes and serotypes targeted by higher valency conjugate formulations – are crucial to safeguarding public health, alleviating pressure on healthcare systems and ultimately enhancing the quality of life across our society.”

The need to prioritize pneumococcal prevention in high-risk populations
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) included Streptococcus pneumoniae in Bacterial Priority Pathogens List for targeted prevention among high-risk populations, in order to protect global health and alleviate pressure on healthcare systems[12].Specifically, Dr. Mark Fletcher, Senior Director, Pfizer Vaccines Research and Development, Medical Affairs, Emerging Markets (EM) region, stated: “Based on global experience, adult pneumococcal prevention strategies often include epidemiological surveillance of pneumococcal disease serotypes, raising public awareness of health promotion, of management of non-communicable chronic conditions, and of proactive prevention among high-risk groups. Vaccination offers both medical and economic benefits.”[13]

To date, the Ministry of Health has authorized the use of five pneumococcal vaccines in Vietnam, differing in formulation, serotype coverage, and clinical development / post-introduction experience. Among them, four are conjugated vaccines, a technology known for inducing immunological memory and reducing pneumococcal carriage in the nasopharynx, thereby supporting long-term protection and contributing to herd immunity.
Speaking at the symposia, Professor Dr. Phan Trong Lan, President of the Vietnam Association of Preventive Medicine, stated: "Vietnam is facing a rapidly aging population, with many elderly individuals suffering from multiple health conditions. Therefore, preventing pneumococcal infections through vaccination is extremely necessary to reduce the burden of community-acquired pneumonia, which is one of the leading causes of death from infectious diseases, especially in people with pre-existing conditions. Preventive measures are also continuously updated, incorporating medical advancements and disease control experiences from many countries around the world, particularly the use of broad-spectrum vaccines with a proven safety and efficacy record, coupled with increasing vaccination coverage. This plays a crucial role in preventing complications and deaths from pneumococcal disease, thereby contributing to the care, protection, and improvement of public health."
Experts at the symposia also stressed that to advance pneumococcal disease prevention strategies and to ensure broader implementation among the high-risk populations, close collaboration is essential among health authorities, medical experts, and leading innovators in biomedical technology.
Mr. Darrell Oh, General Director of Pfizer Vietnam, shared: “With our global expertise in respiratory disease prevention, we are committed to supporting Vietnam’s healthcare landscape by introducing the latest scientific advancements, providing professional training for healthcare workers, and expanding access for vulnerable communities. Staying true to our global mission of delivering breakthroughs that change patients’ lives, Pfizer is proud to contribute to strengthening Vietnam’s preventive healthcare system. This symposia series is a testament to the close collaboration between professional bodies, medical experts, and industry partners in building a sustainable, proactive, and practical disease prevention strategy for the community.”.

References:
[1] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (n.d.) Causes of pneumonia. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pneumonia/causes (Accessed: 22 May 2025).
[2] Bộ Y tế (2023) Hướng dẫn chẩn đoán, điều trị viêm phổi ở người lớn, nhấn mạnh việc tiêm phòng. Cổng Thông tin điện tử Bộ Y tế. Available at: https://moh.gov.vn/chuong-trinh-muc-tieu-quoc-gia/-/asset_publisher/7ng11fEWgASC/content/bo-y-te-huong-dan-chan-oan-ieu-tri-viem-phoi-o-nguoi-lon-nhan-manh-viec-tiem-phong?inheritRedirect=false (Accessed: 22 May 2025).
[3] Yoshikawa, H., Kondo, N. and Kobayashi, T. (2021) Prognostic factors for mortality in invasive pneumococcal disease in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy, 27(6), pp. 861–869. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8178309/ (Accessed: 22 May 2025).
[4] Pfizer Inc. (n.d.) Age & Risk 50+ | PREVNAR 20® (Pneumococcal 20-valent Conjugate Vaccine). Available at: https://adult.prevnar20.com/ageandrisk (Accessed: 22 May 2025).
[5] Gierke, R., Wodi, A.P. & Kobayashi, M. (2024). Chapter 17: Pneumococcal Disease. In: Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. 14th ed. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/pinkbook/hcp/table-of-contents/chapter-17-pneumococcal-disease.html (Accessed: 22 May 2025).
[6] Jimbo-Sotomayor, R., Armijos-Acurio, L., Proaño-Espinosa, J., Segarra-Galarza, K. và Sánchez-Choez, X. (2020) ‘Morbidity and mortality due to pneumococcal disease in children in Ecuador from 2005 to 2015’, Journal of Global Infectious Diseases, 12(3), tr. 124–128. doi: 10.4103/jgid.jgid_125_19. (Accessed: 22 May 2025)
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) Pneumococcal Vaccination. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/vaccines/index.html (Accessed: 22 May 2025).
[8] Bộ Y tế. Bệnh không lây nhiễm ngày một tăng và trẻ hóa, cần có hành lang pháp lý quản lý và phòng ngừa. Cổng thông tin điện tử Bộ Y tế. 20 Jan 2025. https://moh.gov.vn/hoat-dong-cua-dia-phuong/-/asset_publisher/gHbla8vOQDuS/content/benh-khong-lay-nhiem-ngay-mot-tang-va-tre-hoa-can-co-hanh-lang-phap-ly-quan-ngua (Accessed: 27 May 2025).
[9] Nguyen, T.T., Kinki, J.K., Hao, C.T. and Kesteman, T., 2024. Serotype distribution of invasive pneumococcal disease in Vietnam in the pre-vaccination era: a retrospective study 2011–2023. April 2024. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.16560.98560 (Accessed: 27 May 2025).
[10] Cillóniz, C., Garcia-Vidal, C., Ceccato, A. & Torres, A. (2018) ‘Antimicrobial Resistance Among Streptococcus pneumoniae’, in Antimicrobial Resistance in the 21st Century, Springer, Cham, pp. 13–38. Available at: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-78538-7_2 (Accessed: 22 May 2025).
[11] Lancet Infect Dis 2024; 24: 974–1002 (Accessed: 27 May 2025).
[12] World Health Organization (2024) WHO bacterial priority pathogens list, 2024: bacterial pathogens of public health importance to guide research, development and strategies to prevent and control antimicrobial resistance. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240093461 (Accessed: 22 May 2025)
[13] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) Pneumococcal Disease Surveillance and Trends. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/php/surveillance/index.html (Accessed: 22 May 2025).

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