[Prevention in the elderly: position paper on pneumococcal vaccinations. Results of an expert workshop on 15 November 2013 in Cologne, Germany]

Abstract

Infections due to pneumococci especially in the elderly are vastly underestimated, e.g., because non-invasive infections such as pneumonia may appear with only few symptoms. Sequential vaccination with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV13, followed by the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine, is considered as the best preventive measure for individual protection, even though clinical study data demonstrating the efficacy of this sequence are not yet available. Increase of "awareness" by use of computer-based reminder functions may result in a significant improvement of vaccination compliance.