Impact of New-Generation Vaccines on Pediatric Infectious Disease Burden: A Comprehensive Review

Childhood immunisation has transformed global health, substantially reducing morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. Over the past two decades, the introduction of new-generation vaccines—including pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), rotavirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal, influenza, and most recently, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines—has further accelerated progress. These vaccines have reduced disease incidence, improved child survival, and conferred indirect protection through herd immunity [1–4]. Beyond direct benefits, immunisation has contributed to reduced antibiotic use, mitigating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and alleviating economic burdens on families and healthcare systems [21,22]. Despite remarkable successes, challenges persist: inequitable access in low- and middle-income countries, serotype replacement in pneumococcal infections, programmatic hurdles, and vaccine hesitancy [1,2]. Recent advances in vaccine technology—such as mRNA platforms, nanoparticle-based formulations, and intranasal delivery systems—signal an era of innovation with the potential to overcome these barriers [18,20]. This review synthesises current evidence on the global impact of new-generation vaccines, highlighting epidemiological outcomes, broader public health benefits, and future directions. Strengthening equity, investing in innovation, and enhancing community trust will be critical to maximising the benefits of pediatric immunisation in the decades ahead.