Reduction of Streptococcus pneumoniae in upper respiratory tract cultures and a decreased incidence of related acute otitis media following introduction of childhood pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in a Swedish county

After introduction of PCV in 2009, we have observed a significantly decreased number of pneumococcal isolates in the upper respiratory tract, a shift to non-PHiD-CV10 serotypes, and a reduction of complicated AOM. Our findings may have implications for future vaccine design.