Abstract

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.