The role of vaccination in COPD: influenza, SARS-CoV-2, pneumococcus, pertussis, RSV and varicella zoster virus

Abstract

Exacerbations of COPD are associated with worsening of the airflow obstruction, hospitalisation, reduced quality of life, disease progression and death. At least 70% of COPD exacerbations are infectious in origin, with respiratory viruses identified in approximately 30% of cases. Despite long-standing recommendations to vaccinate patients with COPD, vaccination rates remain suboptimal in this population. Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the leading morbidity and mortality causes of lower respiratory tract infections. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved pneumococcal conjugate vaccines that showed strong immunogenicity against all 20 included serotypes. Influenza is the second most common virus linked to severe acute exacerbations of COPD. The variable vaccine efficacy across virus subtypes and the impaired immune response are significant drawbacks in the influenza vaccination strategy. High-dose and adjuvant vaccines are new approaches to tackle these problems. Respiratory syncytial virus is another virus known to cause acute exacerbations of COPD. The vaccine candidate RSVPreF3 is the first authorised for the prevention of RSV in adults ≥60 years and might help to reduce acute exacerbations of COPD. The 2023 Global Initiative for Chronic Lung Disease report recommends zoster vaccination to protect against shingles for people with COPD over 50 years.