title: Vaccines for preventing pneumococcal infection in adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) continue to cause substantial morbidity and mortality globally. Whilst pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines (PPVs) have the potential to prevent disease and death, the degree of protection afforded against various clinical endpoints and within different populations is uncertain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy and effectiveness of PPVs in preventing pneumococcal disease or death in adults. We did not assess adverse events.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched CENTRAL 2012, Issue 6, MEDLINE (January 1966 to June Week 2, 2012) and EMBASE (1974 to June 2012).
  
  
  METHODS
  We considered randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in adults, provided the study outcome met the definition of the outcome considered in the review. We also considered non-RCTs in adults, where the study assessed PPV effectiveness against culture-confirmed invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), provided the study controlled for important confounding factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two review authors assessed trial quality of RCTs and three review authors extracted the data. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model. Two review authors assessed study quality and extracted data for non-RCTs. We calculated ORs and 95% CIs using a random-effects model following the conversion of each study outcome to a log OR and standard error (SE).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five studies met our inclusion criteria (18 RCTs involving 64,852 participants and seven non-RCTs involving 62,294 participants). Meta-analysis of the RCTs found strong evidence of PPV efficacy against IPD with no statistical heterogeneity (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.45; random-effects model, I(2) statistic = 0%). There was efficacy against all-cause pneumonia in low-income (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.67, I(2) statistic = 19%) but not high-income countries in either the general population (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.12, I(2) statistic = 93%) or in adults with chronic illness (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.19, I(2) statistic = 10%). PPV was not associated with substantial reductions in all-cause mortality (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.09; random-effects model, I(2) statistic = 69%). Vaccine efficacy against primary outcomes appeared poorer in adults with chronic illness. Non-RCTs provided evidence for protection against IPD in populations for whom the vaccine is currently utilised (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.61; random-effects model, I(2) statistic = 31%). This review did not consider adverse events as it was outside the scope of the review.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This meta-analysis provides evidence supporting the recommendation for PPV to prevent IPD in adults. The evidence from RCTs is less clear with respect to adults with chronic illness. This might be because of lack of effect or lack of power in the studies. The meta-analysis does not provide evidence to support the routine use of PPV to prevent all-cause pneumonia or mortality.
authors: Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Australia. sarah.moberley@gmail.com.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Moberley
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Holden
authors: David Paul
authors: DP
authors: Tatham
authors: Ross M
authors: RM
authors: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines