[23-valent pneumococcal vaccine. Statement of the Consultive Committee of Immunizations on behalf of the Chilean Infectious Diseases Society: February 2010].

The article summarizes the scientific evidence related with protection conferred by the 23 valent polysaccharide vaccine against invasive pneumococcal disease, non bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia, and probable pneumococcal pneumonia in the elderly. Eider patients with and without risk factors are considered. The impact of herd immunity conferred by vaccination of children with conjugated pneumococcal vaccine in reduction of pneumonia in adults is discussed.

[Human papillomavirus vaccine. Statement of the Consultive Committee of Immunizations on behalf of the Chilean Infectious Diseases Society. September 2008].

The article briefly reviews the epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and associated diseases in the world and in Chile and the scientific information of the licensed HPV vaccines: Gardasil and Cervarix. Considering the available information, the Consultive Committee of Immunizations of the Chilean Society of Infectious Diseases, summarizes its conclusions and makes recommendations for vaccination against HPV in Chile.

[Safety of thimerosal containing vaccines. Statement of the Consultive Committee of Immunizations on behalf of the Chilean Infectious Diseases Society].

Thimerosal is a mercury derivative included in vaccines since 1930 with the aim to prevent microbial contamination. During the last decades, the use of thimerosal has been questioned, specifically because of a potential association with neurotoxicity. After a thorough review of published studies on pediatric use of thimerosal-containing vaccines, and of position papers from international expert groups, the Consultive Committee of Immunizations of the Chilean Society of Infectious Diseases concludes that there is no solid evidence of adverse events associated with the use of thimerosal containing vaccines in infants and children.