Efficacy of immunization against pneumococcal infection in aluminum industry workers

Abstract

Respiratory diseases are the leading cause of morbidity of aluminum industry workers. Aim . Given this fact the authorities of LLC RUSAL decided to vaccinate aluminum industry workers using PPV. Methods . This study included 200 workers (157 males) with a history of frequent (three or more episodes per a year) acute respiratory infection (ARI) or community - acquired pneumonia (CAP) or with stable COPD. The participants' age was 22 to 65 years, the length of work was 2 to 44 years. Results . In a year after the vaccination, there was 5 - fold decrease in frequencies of both ARI episodes and COPD exacerbations. The average duration of exacerbations decreased from 23.7 ± 2.5 to 14.8 ± 1.3 days. No - one case of CAP was diagnosed in vaccinated patients during 12 months after the vaccination. Conclusion . Vaccination with a single - dose PPV - 23 could reduce respiratory morbidity both in term of rate and duration of COPD exacerbations. Vaccination was safe and effective.