Via practica 10/2009

Prevention of diseases caused by pneumococci in older patients

Streptococcus pneumoniae is capsulated pathogen responsible for a wide range of diseases – from asymptomatic carriage to fatal invasive diseases. Most vulnerable groups are children under 5 years and those older than 60 years. In Slovakia, 82% of deaths for influenza and pneumonia belong to group of older people. Most pneumonias in this age are caused by pneumococci. Vaccination is the most effective tool of preventive medicine. In Slovakia, 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine is licensed for persons older than 2 years. Vaccine efficacy in preventing pneumococcal pneumonia is 45%. The vaccine reduces the number of hospitalizations and mortality in patients. Despite the great potential, this vaccine is still underused.

Keywords: pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, pneumonia, prevention, ageing