Ph.D. Mark Peter Gerard van der Linden, a researcher at the Streptococci Reference Laboratory at the University Hospital RWTH in Aachen, Germany, was one of two highly regarded international experts who attended this event. He has conducted research on infectious diseases, molecular epidemiology, antibiotics, emerging serotypes following PCVs, and more than 200 vaccine-related publications. Senior Director of Vaccines and Antivirals in Emerging Asia for Pfizer's Medical Division, Dr. Bulent Nuri Taysi. His experience on pneumococcal diseases, its epidemiology, and pneumococcal vaccines spans more than 17 years.

The series of symposia was graced by the presence of presenters who are expert in the field of pediatrics and prevention, including: Assoc. Prof. Tran Minh Dien – President of the Vietnam Pediatric Association, Director of the National Children's Hospital; Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Hung – Vice president of the Vietnam Pediatric Association, President of the Ho Chi Minh Pediatric Association, Director of Children’s Hospital 1; Assoc. Prof. Cao Huu Nghia – Head of Biomedical Science Department, Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City; Assoc. Prof. Pham Quang Thai – Deputy Head of the Department of Infectious Disease Control, Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology; MD. Spec I. Bach Thi Chinh – VNVC Medical Director.

The symposia attracted the attention of 100 experts, over 1,100 healthcare professionals across Vietnam attended onsite and more than 700 healthcare professionals participated via online sessions.

As a co-host of this year’s symposia series, Pfizer Vietnam recognizes the significance of fostering opportunities for both local and international medical experts to convene, knowledge and experience sharing and deliberate on severe pneumococcal diseases, local serotypes prevalence and prevention. From there, it lays the foundation for determining optimal management strategies, with the goal of effectively controlling diseases caused by pneumococcal among Vietnamese infant and children.

The series of symposia delivered specialized knowledge, the role of PCV real-world evidence and especially the up-to-date data on serotype prevalence in Vietnam. The series of scientific symposia provide comprehensive perspectives, to supports Vietnamese healthcare professionals toward effective Streptococcus pneumoniae treatment and prevention.

Pneumococcus – The insidious silent killer

According to World Health Organization (WHO), diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae have been one of the most serious threats to public health worldwide. It's estimated that pneumococcal diseases claim the lives of approximately one million children annually, constituting about 11% of all fatalities among children under the age of five.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a child who succumbs to pneumonia every 43 seconds. In Vietnam specifically, pneumonia claims the lives of 4,000 children annually out of a total of 2.9 million cases, making it the primary cause of death in children under the age of five.

Assoc. Prof. Tran Minh Dien, Director of the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, expressed: “Pneumococcus causes dangerous diseases including pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, …with the most dangerous complication being death. Fortunately, effective preventive measures are now available, and early vaccination for children can help minimize the harmful effects and serious sequelae.”

PhD. Mark Peter Gerard van der Linden stated: “With many years of research on infectious diseases and Streptococcus Pneumoniae streptococcus, I can affirm that Streptococcus Pneumoniae is a significant menace to infant and children under five years of age. This bacterium is not just a common cause of pneumonia and otitis media in infants and children, but it also leads to severe invasive diseases such as meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia with sepsis, which can be life-threatening. The immune system of infant and young children is still developing, rendering them particularly susceptible to these infections (3) (8) (9). It’s crucial that we continue to advance our understanding and prevention of Pneumococcus to protect our most vulnerable population.”

Dr. Bulent Nuri Taysi, Senior Director of Vaccines and Antivirals in Emerging Asia for the Medical Division at Pfizer, stated: “Pneumococcus is a highly dynamic bacterium, with significant changes in prevalence and its serotypes both globally and in Vietnam. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are designed to target serotypes that cause severe diseases. Real world evidence indicates that, while current pneumococcal conjugate vaccines offer protection from the vaccine-type serotypes, they do not seem to provide cross-protection from the serotypes not included in these vaccines.”  

Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, Medical Director at VNVC, highlighted that weather fluctuations are a significant factor that can weaken the children’s immune system. This weakening can provide an opportunity for pneumococcus bacteria, which typically reside in the nasopharynx, to attack and cause illness. She noted, “Vietnam is among the 15 countries globally that carry a substantial burden of pneumococcal pneumonia. It's important to note that the mortality rate can reach up to 50% for young children and the elderly suffering from pneumococcal pneumonia.” Dr. Chinh further emphasized that Vietnam currently has pneumococcal conjugate vaccines available, which is considered as the simplest, most cost-effective, and efficient preventive measures available today to minimize the risk of diseases and severe complications caused by pneumococcus.

Early prevention possible for pneumococcus-induced diseases

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hung Assoc.Prof. Nguyen Thanh Hung – Vice president of the Vietnam Pediatric Association, President of the Ho Chi Minh Pediatric Association, Director of Children’s Hospital 1. shared that there are currently more than 100 Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes, but the role of serotypes in the disease burden is not the same. In children, some serotypes have a high potential to cause invasive disease (meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia with sepsis, etc.) such as 19A, 1, 12F,... Serotypes 1, 5 , 7F, 9V, 14, 19A, ... are more likely to cause pneumonia than other serotypes(21). Serotypes 3, 5, 7F, 19A are associated with necrotizing pneumonia.

Mr. Darrell Oh, the General Director of Pfizer Vietnam, underscored, “The value of human health is immeasurable, and for the past 175 years, Pfizer has prioritized patients in all our endeavors. Over the past 24 years, Pfizer has researched, developed, and enhanced the world's first pneumococcal vaccine, while also pursuing scientific breakthroughs that change patients’ lives (Science will Win). Moreover, we utilize cutting-edge scientific and technical methodologies in the production of a variety of vaccines for children, adolescents, and adults to shield them from diseases like pneumococcal, meningococcus, influenza, Lyme disease, and RSV respiratory syncytial virus infection. With these achievements, Pfizer is committed to collaborating with the Vietnamese healthcare sector to tackle challenges in disease prevention and treatment, thereby contributing to the enhancement of community health and striving for a healthier Vietnam.”