Comparison of the Effectiveness of Pneumococcal and Influenza Vaccines in Preventing Pneumonia in the Elderly

Alfi Mawaddah

doi:10.55927/fjmr.v4i10.559

Authors

Alfi Mawaddah RSUD dr. H. Yuliddin Away Aceh Selatan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/fjmr.v4i10.559

Keywords:

Pneumonia, Elderly, Pneumococcal Vaccine, Influenza Vaccine

Abstract

Pneumonia in older adults remains a significant health burden due to a combination of immunosenescence, comorbidities, and exposure to respiratory pathogens. This paper summarizes evidence on pneumonia prevention with pneumococcal vaccines (PPSV23, PCV13/15/20) and influenza vaccines (IIV, RIV, and adjuvanted/high-dose/intradermal formulations) in the older population. Pneumococcal vaccines reduce the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease and some community-acquired pneumonia, particularly with a sequential strategy (PCV followed by PPSV23) to expand serotype coverage. Influenza vaccines reduce influenza-associated pneumonia, hospitalizations, and mortality; the benefit is enhanced with improved formulations for older adults. Virus-bacterial interactions cause influenza to facilitate pneumococcal superinfection, so dual vaccination approaches provide consistent synergistic effects reducing hospitalizations and deaths to a greater extent than either vaccine alone. Key challenges include diminished immune responses and antibody durability, host heterogeneity (immunosuppression, multimorbidity), and gaps in vaccine coverage. Optimization involves selecting the vaccine type, sequence, and timing of administration (including selected revaccinations), as well as strategies to increase uptake. In conclusion, the combination of pneumococcal and influenza vaccines is a powerful basic prevention strategy for reducing pneumonia morbidity and mortality in the elderly.

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