The Critical Role of Pneumococcal Vaccines in Reducing Childhood Mortality
Despite the availability of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), which protect against bacteria causing pneumonia, meningitis, and other diseases, many children across Africa remain unvaccinated. In 2024, only about 70% of children received the vaccine, leaving a significant portion of the population vulnerable to preventable illnesses.
Pneumonia continues to be the leading cause of death among young children globally, claiming approximately 2,000 lives every day. This disease disproportionately affects regions such as South Asia and West and Central Africa, where access to healthcare and immunization programs is often limited.
Gail Rodgers, Deputy Director of Pneumonia and Pandemic Preparedness at the Gates Foundation, emphasized the urgency of expanding vaccination efforts. “Childhood PCV vaccination, which is part of routine immunization programs in most African countries, is the most effective way to reduce serious illness and death from pneumonia,” she stated during the Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival Forum in Maputo, Mozambique, from July 22 to 24, 2025.
Rodgers highlighted that vaccinating children not only protects them directly but also reduces transmission within communities, offering indirect protection to adults and older populations. She noted that pneumonia remains a significant health burden on adults as well, with at least 200,000 deaths reported annually in sub-Saharan Africa.
The pneumococcal vaccine is currently available in 42 African countries, with 34 of them supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Gavi has played a crucial role in introducing PCVs into national immunization schedules, helping countries like Chad, Somalia, and South Sudan implement these programs in the past year.
Rodgers pointed out that substantial efforts are being made at both country and global levels to ensure children receive the PCVs when they need them most. Gavi’s Pneumococcal Advance Market Commitment (AMC) has delivered over 160 million doses of PCVs to low- and middle-income countries since its inception.
Newer, more affordable vaccines, such as PNEUMOSIL, are making it possible for more children to benefit from life-saving protection. This vaccine is available to Gavi-supported countries at $2 per dose, significantly reducing financial barriers to immunization.
Another key development is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) recommendation for a reduced-dose schedule. Instead of three doses, a primary dose followed by a booster is now advised in countries with high immunization coverage. This approach helps lower vaccine and delivery costs, streamline logistics, and free up health worker time, making it easier to reach more children.
The ongoing forum presents an exciting opportunity to discuss scaling up these initiatives with country partners. According to Rodgers, advancements in maternal immunization also offer a pathway to protect newborns and infants from other major causes of pneumonia. For example, the WHO recently recommended maternal Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination to address a leading cause of pneumonia mortality in infants under six months of age.
Additionally, a promising Group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaccine candidate is in development. This vaccine has the potential to protect infants from serious infections that can lead to high rates of morbidity and mortality. When administered to pregnant women, it could offer additional protection to newborns.
The Gates Foundation is committed to supporting the development and equitable introduction of these innovations, with the goal of ensuring they reach the children and communities that need them most. Through continued investment and collaboration, the foundation aims to make a lasting impact on global health outcomes.