Role of pneumococcal vaccination in prevention of pneumococcal disease among adults in Singapore

Abstract

Philip Eng,1 Lean Huat Lim,2 Chian Min Loo,3 James Alvin Low,4 Carol Tan,5 Eng Kiat Tan,6 Sin Yew Wong,7 Sajita Setia8 1Philip Eng Respiratory and Medical Clinic, Mount Elizabeth Medical Center, 2Dr Lim Lean Huat and Associates Pte Ltd, 3Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, 4Department of Geriatric Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, 5Rophi Clinic, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore, 6Kevin Tan Clinic for Diabetes, Thyroid, and Hormones, Mount Elizabeth Medical Center, 7Infectious Disease Partners Pte Ltd, Gleneagles Medical Center, 8Medical Affairs Department, Pfizer Pte Ltd, SingaporeAbstract: The burden of disease associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in adults can be considerable but is largely preventable through routine vaccination. Although substantial progress has been made with the recent licensure of the new vaccines for prevention of pneumonia in adults, vaccine uptake rates need to be improved significantly to tackle adult pneumococcal disease effectively. Increased education regarding pneumococcal disease and improved vaccine availability may contribute to a reduction in pneumococcal disease through increased vaccination rates. The increase in the elderly population in Singapore as well as globally makes intervention in reducing pneumococcal disease an important priority. Globally, all adult vaccines remain underused and family physicians give little priority to pneumococcal vaccination for adults in daily practice. Family physicians are specialists in preventive care and can be leaders in ensuring that adult patients get the full benefit of protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. They can play a key role in the immunization delivery of new and routine vaccines by educating the public on the risks and benefits associated with vaccines. Local recommendations by advisory groups on vaccination in adults will also help to tackle vaccine preventable diseases in adults.Keywords: pneumococcal vaccine, pneumonia, invasive pneumococcal disease, adults