Pneumokokkenvaccinatie van volwassenen

- Pneumococcal pneumonia and bacteraemia are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in a number of risk groups.

- On the basis of data from available literature, there is no convincing evidence that vaccination of such risk groups, including all people over 65, with a polyvalent vaccine of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides in addition to influenza vaccination offers any additional protection against the risk of acquiring pneumococcal pneumonia.

- There is adequate evidence that pneumococcal vaccination does protect against invasive infections and that in this respect vaccination of all elderly persons could be cost-effective. However, there are insufficient data on whether pneumococcal vaccination provides additional protection against invasive infections in people already receiving influenza vaccination. Therefore a well-considered assessment of the cost-effectiveness of applying such a strategy in the Netherlands is not yet possible.

- Vaccination of (imminent) immuno-compromised persons is only effective and of value if an adequate antibody response can be expected.

- There is as yet no proven advantage of vaccination with a conjugate vaccine in adults.