Pneumococcal disease burden in high-risk older adults: Exploring impact of comorbidities, long-term care facilities, antibiotic resistance, and immunization policies through a narrative literature review

Abstract

This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of literature on pneumococcal disease burden in high-risk older adults aged ≥65 with focus on impact of comorbidities, long-term care facilities (LTCFs), antibiotic resistance, and vaccination policies across various countries. Research showed that the disease burden and the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pneumococci was higher in the elderly, particularly those residing in LTCFs, and with comorbidities. These individuals are at high risk of infection with antibiotic-resistant serotypes 10A, 11A, and 15B. The vaccination strategies and national guidelines for pneumococcal vaccines in the elderly vary across countries. Some countries focus on single-dose strategies, while others recommend sequential vaccinations with varying intervals. Although vaccination policies are well-established for the elderly, they are not as well-established for high-risk elderly groups, and this review underscores the need for more tailored vaccination strategies for these groups.

Keywords

• Pneumococcal disease
• high-risk elderly population
• serotype distribution
• antibiotic resistance
• long-term care facility
• vaccination strategies