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As leading researchers continue to examine ways to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus, new data has emerged about the link between H1N1 and secondary bacterial co-infections, including pneumococcal disease, which in past flu pandemics has been documented to be a significant cause of mortality and morbidity.
A report published in the 4 September CDC Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) pointed to the risks for children younger than 5 years (even healthy children) who contract H1N1 and develop a secondary bacterial infection. To help mitigate this threat, experts have advised the use of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in infants and toddlers to help prevent secondary infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria.
