Pneumococcal Vaccine After 15 Years of Use

Abstract

IN A recent Commentary, Hirschmann and Lipsky 1 reviewed pneumococcal vaccine after 15 years of use in United Following their evaluation of prospective vaccine trials, retrospective studies, and projections of vaccine effectiveness, they stated that no conclusive evidence has yet emerged that pneumococcal vaccine is effective in any group in United States. In their judgment, the evidence justifies not vaccinating immunocompromised or elderly populations with pneumococcal vaccine. While most observers would agree that available evidence on clinical effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination is incomplete, evidence has been subject of ongoing critical review by several expert groups, including Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2 American College of Physicians/ Infectious Diseases Society of America Task Force on Adult Immunization, 3 National Advisory Committee on Immunization in Canada, 4 and a Technical Advisory Group to World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. 5