Preventive and therapeutic use of pneumococcal vaccine in industrial workers with chronic pulmonary diseases

Abstract

The efficacy of immunization against various pathogens has been proved in a long term practice worldwide. A delayed effect of vaccination with pneumococcal vaccine Pneumo 23 in 243 workers in a large industrial enterprise in Chelyabinsk has been analyzed in the article. One year after the vaccination a second examination was carried out in 102 persons (38 with chronic simple bronchitis (CSB) and 64 with COPD) and 1.5 years after vaccination it was done in 92 persons (59 persons with CSB and 33 with COPD) The efficacy of the vaccination was assessed by the rate, length and severity of exacerbations of chronic respiratory diseases, as well as by clinical symptoms, results of physical examination, lung function parameters, and quality of life. The 1st control group included 33 patients with COPD, the 2nd control group included 57 patients with chronic bronchitis working in the same enterprise. The groups were compatible for age, length of work, duration of the disease and FEV1 . After immunization the exacer bation rate in the vaccinated patients with CSB decreased by 3.6 and 2.5 times within 1 and 1.5 years correspondingly (р < 0.01). The vaccinated patients with COPD demonstrated a 2.4 fold and a 2.2 fold reduction respectively (р < 0.01). The duration of exacerbations in patients with CSB decreased by 1.6 and 1.1 respectively (р < 0.01) and by 1.78 and 1.2 in patients with COPD respectively (р < 0.01). Of vaccinated patients with COPD 39.4 % did not experience any exacerbations during the follow up period compared to 0 % in the control group. The quality of life of the vaccinated patients improved in terms of physical activity, general and psychological health, vitality, reduction of discomfort. The results allow us to recom mend pneumococcal vaccination for wide implementation in high risk industrial workers.