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Review
. 2025;104(8):556-574.
doi: 10.1159/000544919. Epub 2025 Mar 9.

Vaccination Strategies in Respiratory Diseases: Recommendation from AIPO-ITS/ETS, SIMIT, SIP/IRS, and SItI

Affiliations
Review

Vaccination Strategies in Respiratory Diseases: Recommendation from AIPO-ITS/ETS, SIMIT, SIP/IRS, and SItI

Claudio Micheletto et al. Respiration. 2025.

Abstract

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchiectasis, are significant global health concerns associated with recurrent exacerbations, hospitalization, and increased mortality. Preventive strategies, particularly vaccination, play a crucial role in managing these diseases by reducing infection-related exacerbations and stabilizing lung function.

Summary: This review summarizes the recommendations provided by four major Italian scientific societies on vaccination against key respiratory pathogens, including respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, SARS-CoV-2, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and varicella zoster virus, which pose serious risks to individuals with chronic respiratory conditions. Evidence supporting the role of vaccines in minimizing exacerbations and improving patient outcomes in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchiectasis is highlighted, alongside recent advancements in vaccine technology and recommendations for high-risk populations. This expert-led, multidisciplinary approach underlines the necessity of targeted immunization strategies to mitigate complications, lower healthcare costs, and enhance the quality of life for patients with respiratory diseases.

Key messages: By collecting the latest evidence-based recommendations, this article aims to guide healthcare providers in adopting optimal vaccination strategies for respiratory disease management and contribute to the broader public health effort to reduce the burden of respiratory infections.

Keywords: Chronic respiratory infections; Immunization recommendations; Preventive healthcare; Respiratory diseases; Vaccination strategies.

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Conflict of interest statement

C.M. received payment or honoraria as a speaker from A. Menarini, AstraZeneca, Berlin Chemie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Firma, GlaxoSmithKline, Laboratori Guidotti, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi and Zambon and consultation fees from AstraZeneca, Chiesi, and GlaxoSmithKline. S.A. reports grants or contracts from any entity from Physioassist S.A.S., Moderna Italy, Moderna T.X., Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.P.A., GlaxoSmithKline S.p.A., Insmed Incorporated, Insmed Netherlands B.V., Insmed Italy, Zambon, AN2 Therapeutics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Fondazione Internazionale Menarini, AstraZeneca, Brahms G.M.B.H., Verona Pharma plc, Pfizer Srl. M.A. reports having participated at GlaxoSmithKline, Gilead, and AstraZeneca Advisory Boards. F.B. reports grants and personal fees from AstraZeneca, personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, personal fees from Chiesi, personal fees from GlaxoSmithKline, personal fees from Grifols, grants and personal fees from Insmed, personal fees from Menarini, personal fees from O.M. pharma, personal fees from Pfizer, personal fees from Sanofi, personal fees from Vertex, personal fees from Viatris, personal fees from Zambon, outside the submitted work. F.D.M. declares personal fees and support for research from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Eurodrugs Laboratories, Laboratori Guidotti, GlaxoSmithKline, Levante Pharma, Menarini, Sanofi, Zambon. R.D.M. has no conflicts to declare. GG reports having received personal fees for advisory board membership and/or consultancy and/or lectures from Emergent Biosolutions, GlaxoSmithKline, M.S.D., Sanofi Pasteur, Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax, Viatris, and Seqirus. S.H. has no conflicts to declare. I.G. declares personal fees from Abbvie, Abbott, Advanz, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, M.S.D., Gilead, Pfizer, Infectopharm, Angelini, S.O.B.I., Basilea, Mundipharma, and Shionogi. R.P. reports having received personal fees for advisory board membership and/or consultancy and/or lectures and/or research from Insmed, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, and Tillots Pharma. R.S. reports having received personal fees for advisory board membership and/or consultancy and/or lectures and/or research from M.S.D., Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi Pasteur, Seqirus, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Viatris. L.S. reports having received personal fees for advisory board membership and/or consultancy and/or lectures and/or research from M.S.D., Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi Pasteur, Seqirus, AstraZeneca, A.j. Vaccines, Moderna, Novavax.

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