Immunization coverage and safety of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in Guangzhou from 2010 to 2015
Objective 
To analyze the immunization coverage of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) in a large population in Guangzhou and to evaluate its safety by analyzing the adverse events following immunization (AEFI) reported to the passive surveillance system. 
 
 
Methods 
Immunization data of PPV23 in Guangzhou from 2010 to 2015 were collected from Information Management System of Biological Products and the Information System of Immune Programming of Guangzhou. AEFI reported to the AEFI Information System during 2010 to 2015 was collected for safety evaluation. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive methodology. 
 
 
Results 
A total of 621 059 doses of PPV23 were prescribed in Guangzhou from 2010 to 2015. Most of the recipients were children younger than 10 years old, accounting for 79.44%. Only 9.38% of the subjects received PPV23 were older than 60 years. A total of 243 AEFI cases were reported at a rate of 39.13 cases per 100 000 doses, among which 199 cases (32.04/105) showed minor vaccine reactions, 25 cases (4.03/105) occurred adverse events, 16 cases (2.58/105) developed coupled diseases and 3 cases (0.48/105) were classified as psychogenic reactions. No rare adverse reactions were observed. 
 
 
Conclusion 
The majority of people immunized with PPV23s in Guangzhou were children, while the immunization coverage among the elderly was relatively low. PPV23 was safe for vaccination as the reported AEFI cases were similar to that of other vaccines. 
 
 
Key words: 
23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine; Vaccination status; Adverse events following immunization; Safety