IVAC engages with Jordan on introduction of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) – a life-saving vaccine for children

Pneumonia continues to be the number one infectious killer of young children globally. In the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) region, each year an estimated 923,000 children under 5 years of age (U5) die, with pneumonia accounting for over 20% of deaths among this age group (UNICEF, 2022). PCV protects against infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a leading cause of severe pneumonia. Jordan is one of five EMRO countries (alongside Egypt, Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic, and Islamic Republic of Iran) that has yet to introduce PCV into the national schedule.

IVAC’s Global Advocacy for PCV project put together an evidence-based brief compendium on PCV use globally and within the EMRO region upon request from key decision-makers in Jordan. Introducing PCV in Jordan is a big stride in closing the global PCV introduction gap and preventing the needless suffering of children around the world. Information that was shared in the meeting was compiled into a report which can be used to inform strategies and development guidance for PCV introduction to support the launch of PCV into Jordan’s National Immunization Plan.

Related Resources:

• [Report] Introducing the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in Jordan