Adult pneumococcal vaccination guideline. SAMA-SA Pulmonology Society Working Group.

Abstract

To outline a rational cost-effective protocol for pneumococcal vaccination of adults in South Africa. VACCINE DESCRIPTION: A highly purified vaccine containing 25 micrograms of each of 23 capsular polysaccharides representing > or = 85% of the serotypes causing pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease in the community. Polysaccharide antigens induce type-specific antibodies that enhance opsonisation, phagocytosis and killing of pneumococci by phagocytic cells. Factors influencing the efficacy of the vaccine include the age of the individual, the state of their immune response, the presence/absence of underlying medical disorders, and the level of pneumococcal antibodies attained. Protection is only against infection caused by pneumococci of a serotype included in the vaccine.