Oligbu G, et al. - The clinical presentation, risk factors, serotype distribution and outcomes of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) following the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in the UK was described. Study participants were children with SCD born in England between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2014 who developed laboratory-confirmed IPD by 31 December 2015. Despite national newborn screening, early penicillin prophylaxis and high pneumococcal vaccine uptake, children with SCD remained at increased risk of IPD and they were also more likely to die of their infection compared with their peers without SCD. Data reported that most IPD cases were now due to serotypes not covered by PCV13. Researchers suggested that healthcare professionals need to work more closely with families with SCD and local communities to highlight the importance of penicillin prophylaxis, explore barriers, allay misguided beliefs and facilitate rapid access to healthcare.