Pneumococcal

A new study reveals that heart failure patients with implantable devices are more likely to receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13, impacting vaccination rates and mortality.

Like other high-risk groups, children with sickle cell disease have a heightened risk of invasive pneumococcal disease, even if they receive proper pneumococcal conjugate vaccine coverage.

The study found that only 38% of nations have risk-based pneumococcal vaccine policies.

The American Lung Association is raising awareness about updated pneumococcal vaccine guidelines, emphasizing prevention and patient education for at-risk populations.

Invasive pneumococcal disease trends have fluctuated greatly over the past 2 decades, with older adults remaining at the center of disease burden.

These results suggest that individuals who are immunocompromised with type 2 diabetes (T2D) may need multiple doses of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) to sustain their protection.

Patients who received a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccination had slightly lower incidence of severe COVID-19 outcomes, but the directions of these associations were mixed.

In a survey among community pharmacists in South Carolina, many pharmacists were unable to correctly identify proper pneumococcal vaccination guideline, raising concerns.

These new phase 3 results indicate the effectiveness of the 2-dose 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and 1-dose PCV20 regimens.

Pharmacist-led interventions significantly improve antibiotic prescribing practices, optimize therapy, and improve patient outcomes.

Individuals who refused a pneumococcal vaccine were associated with low collective responsibility and confidence in vaccine efficacy and safety.

A collaborative health care approach enhances patient outcomes and supports informed decision-making in antibiotic management.

The study authors add that the validation improved the risk score in additional community-acquired pneumonia cohorts, and clinical studies would assess the broad clinical applicability.

Results suggest that patients commonly receive more than 5 days of treatment, which could be an opportunity for an antimicrobial stewardship initiative.

The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23, Pneumovax 23; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp) demonstrates effective reductions in the risk of hospitalizations.

Investigators say basic immunodeficiency screening should be completed in full for this patient population.

Pneumococcal disease incidence decreased in adults after pneumococcal vaccines began to be used in children due to indirect protection, with fewer adults found to carry the bacterium that causes disease.

Commonly cited factors influencing uptake of pneumococcal vaccination included knowledge of pneumococcal disease and vaccine benefits, recommendations from health authorities, and perceived risk of infection.

Reasons for supporting the lowering of the age-based pneumococcal vaccine recommendation included the likelihood it would increase vaccination rates in multiple age groups and demographics.

Known to be a leading cause of mortality worldwide, cigarette smoke exposure can make the respiratory tract more susceptible to pneumococcal infection.

The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice voted to expand the recommendation, which includes Prevnar 20 and Capvaxive.

Data presented at IDWeek also showed greater disease-prevention effects in the community with PCV21 compared with prior pneumococcal vaccines.

Krista D. Capehart, PharmD, BCACP, FAPhA, Dr. Capeheart outlines the patient populations for whom pneumococcal vaccines are indicated and provides a detailed explanation of the ACIP-recommended immunization schedules for these vaccines.

The pneumococcal vaccination experts offer a comparative analysis of the five FDA-approved pneumococcal vaccines, focusing on their structural differences and the specific strains each vaccine targets.

The panel of healthcare professionals examines how strategic vaccination can effectively mitigate pneumococcal outbreaks, thereby reducing exposure risks to vulnerable populations in healthcare settings such as nursing homes and hospitals.

A medical professional examines the significant patient burden imposed by pneumococcal infections, highlighting how this burden drove the development of innovative vaccine technologies.

Key opinion leaders identify high-risk populations for invasive pneumococcal disease, explain the underlying factors contributing to their increased susceptibility, and offer strategies to improve suboptimal vaccination rates, particularly among historically underserved communities.

Medical professionals describe how pneumococcal disease manifests in adults, detailing its potentially lethal consequences such as sepsis or severe pneumonia, and explain how vaccination can effectively mitigate these serious health risks.

Medical experts outline the key indicators, symptoms, and transmission mechanisms of pneumococcal infections in adult populations.

The committee, after being presented evidence by the working group, recommended the vaccine for adults aged 65 and older and those 19 or older who have current recommendations to receive a pneumococcal vaccine.