Invasive pneumococcal disease in the Gulf region: a narrative review of incidence, burden, and vaccine strategies.

ABSTRACT: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) presents a significant public health challenge in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as young children and individuals with chronic conditions. This narrative review synthesizes recent data from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to assess the epidemiology of IPD, the burden of disease, serotype distribution, and risk factors. Across the GCC, there is a notable variability in serotype distribution, with non-Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) 13 serotypes like 8, 15B, 22F, 33F, etc. becoming prominent. In Kuwait, PCV13 provided 61.5% serotype coverage, while in Oman, coverage is limited to 37.1%. Qatar reports higher coverage of 78.26% for children und

SUBMITTER: Mokaddas E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12446325 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature