[Pneumococcal vaccine for pneumonia mostly unnecessary].
The efficacy of 13-valent polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was studied in a randomised, placebo-controlled trial involving 84,496 adults aged ≥ 65 years of age. PCV13 was partly effective in preventing vaccine-type pneumococcal pneumonia, but not in preventing either community-acquired pneumonia from any cause or death. The limited added value for individuals and society calls for reflection rather than mass vaccination. Emphasis on adequate and timely diagnosis of pneumonia with appropriate, personalised management - combined with 'tender loving care', particularly for the frail elderly - is a better option than the ongoing, costly search for the ultimate vaccine to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia.
Saltro diagnostisch centrum, Utrecht.
Rogier M
RM
Hopstaken
D000368:Aged; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019468:Disease Management; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate
D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate