PneuMatters and SUNFISH
Acute lower respiratory infections, including pneumonia, remain the greatest cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Furthermore, acute lower respiratory infections in early childhood (<2 yrs) are associated with future chronic lung disease (e.g. bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Bronchiectasis and non-smoking related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are both prevalent in developing countries and in Indigenous populations. These diseases also tend to be more severe among Indigenous Australians compared to non-Indigenous Australians. Bronchiectasis affects one in every 68 Indigenous children and causes premature death (in 3-4th decade of life). The need for preventative strategies that are realistic and feasible within a short timeframe is imperative. Maternal immunisation is a developing strategy that may protect both pregnant women and their infants.PCV-HiD is a 10-valent polysaccharide vaccine against pneumococcus which is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Infants immunised with PCV-HiD have reduced risk of pneumonia. It is not yet known if maternal immunisation with this vaccine would be effective in protecting young infants.
Aim:
To determine if vaccinating pregnant Indigenous women with PCV-HiD reduces (compared to controls) pneumonia in their infants in the first year of life?
Funding / Grants
- NHMRC (2018 - 2021)
Chief Investigators
- Professor Anne Chang
- Dr Michael Binks
- Professor Helen Marshall
- Associate Professor Maree Toombs
- Associate Professor Heidi Smith-Vaughan
- Dr Susan Pizzutto
- Professor Paul Torzillo
- Professor Keith Grimwood
- Associate Professor Geeta Swamy
