Immunization with the vaccines for pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus reduces the rates of acute respiratory infections and gastrointestinal infections in small children, thus reducing the need for antibiotic medications. Researchers say if universal childhood vaccination is achieved, an additional 40 million cases of antibiotic-treated illnesses could be prevented each year.
A large, genome-wide study in children reveals genetic variants associated with differing levels of antibodies produced as a result of three common childhood vaccinations. Researchers identified two genetic loci associated with the persistence of vaccine-induced immunity following early life vaccinations. The results may help clinicians tailor personalized vaccine schedules to maximize the effectiveness of immunizations.