Invasive pneumococcal disease cases in Belgium during the 2024-2025 winter season reached record highs, with serotypes 12F, 14, and 4 being ≥3 times higher compared to the 2019-2020 season.
Observational
There was an exceptional increase in invasive pneumococcal disease in Belgium during the 2024-2025 winter season, driven largely by vaccine-preventable serotypes in older adults.
Following lifting of containment measures post-COVID, the number of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) infections continued to increase, reaching a record number last winter season 2024-2025 in Belgium. This exceptional increase is largely due to high numbers in (older) adults, and mainly an increase of vaccine serotype IPD. Over 95 % of IPD cases last winter could theoretically be prevented by vaccination. Cases of serotypes 12F, 14 and 4 were three or more times higher compared to pre-COVID winter season 2019-2020.
Cuypers et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Post-COVID winter season 2024-2025 vs. Pre-COVID winter season 2019-2020 was evaluated on Number of IPD cases and serotype distribution. Invasive pneumococcal disease cases in Belgium during the 2024-2025 winter season reached record highs, with serotypes 12F, 14, and 4 being ≥3 times higher compared to the 2019-2020 season.