The introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) into the childhood vaccination programme has reduced invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Although anticipated from data elsewhere, surveillance in Ireland has confirmed reductions in IPD amongst those ≥65 years of age due to a decline of PCV serotypes in this age group. Currently, direct protection against IPD in the elderly is focused on immunisation with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23). However, immunity may not be as effective as with PCV and, furthermore, PPV23 uptake is poor in Ireland. Hence, consideration should be given to providing a PCV to this age group. Word count= 98 (limit, 100)
Funding
Health Protection Surveillance Centre (Ireland)
Pfizer Healthcare (Ireland)
ECDC (SpIDnet project)
European Commission (Horizon 2020)
History
Comments
The original article is available at https://www.cambridge.org/
Published Citation
Humphreys H, Corcoran M, Mereckiene J, Cunney R, Cotter S. Invasive pneumococcal surveillance to assess the potential benefits of extended spectrum conjugate vaccines (PCV15/PCV20) in older adults. Epidemiol Infect. 2023;151:e27