Vaccines trialled on First Nations children in the Northern Territory to combat high rates of hearing loss are showing significant promise, according to the research team involved.
Australian First Nations children experience the highest reported rates of otitis media (middle ear infection) globally.
“All young children should be able to hear, listen, speak and learn to communicate during their early years,” says Amanda Leach, who heads the Ear Health Research Program at the Menzies School of Health Research.
“However, due to the devastating impacts of chronic otitis media, First Nations children experience life-long disadvantage.
“Almost every Australian First Nations child living in remote regions of the Northern Territory experiences chronic otitis media in their early years of life. It is crucial that this illness is prevented or treated early to reduce hearing loss and subsequent impacts on learning and development.”
Prof Leach is the lead author of a new paper exploring how two vaccines can prevent hearing loss caused by otitis media. Trials were conducted from 2013 to 2018 on 261 infants who received six-monthly hearing assessments from age 12 to 36 months.
The trials indicated that of the two vaccines, +P PCV13 and +S PHiD-CV10, the former provided more effective protection against hearing loss.
Senior author of the study and hospital clinician Peter Morris found the study results particularly valuable.
“Many people thought that the +S vaccine would be better, but the prevalence of moderate hearing loss halved, and normal hearing doubled in those who received the +P vaccine (PCV13) compared to the +S group.
“This trend continued at each six-month follow-up until the child reached three years of age, albeit with a smaller difference.”
Currently, PCV13 is freely available through the Northern Territory childhood vaccination schedule.
“We welcome the opportunity to evaluate the impact of these vaccines further. Clinical trials are the best way to understand their effectiveness and to help stop this preventable disease in its tracks.”
Originally published by Cosmos as Vaccine provided to NT First Nations children effective in reducing hearing loss