Recommendations for influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination in elderly people in China

Abstract

Influenza and pneumonia can be prevented by vaccination, but they remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in age‐related diseases. In most areas of China, the rates of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination are relatively low and public awareness of vaccination remains insufficient. Thus, it is essential to recommend influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination to elderly people in clinical practice. Based on recently published studies and related documents issued by several vaccination authorities, such as the World Health Organization, the National Health and Wellness Committee, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, we propose official recommendations for influenza and S pneumoniae vaccination in elderly people in China.

Insight into 2019 novel coronavirus — An updated interim review and lessons from SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV

“…In terms of vaccine, if any cross-reactive epitopes were identified between 2019-nCoV and SARS-CoV, previous vaccine for SARS-CoV might be re-utilized to facilitate 2019-nCoV vaccine development. We recommend an influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination for prophylaxis, especially in elderly adults (Chen et al, 2020b). Both pandemic viruses result in similar respiratory symptoms and are hard to distinguish.…”

Heightened Willingness toward Pneumococcal Vaccination in the Elderly Population in Shenzhen, China: A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…What’s more, only 38.7% of individuals with rheumatic diseases in China displayed a willingness to pneumococcal vaccine uptake under the recommendation from doctors [ 18 ]. Hence, there is an urgent request to raise public awareness of vaccination and immunization [ 19 ].…”

Influenza immunization among Chinese seniors: Urgent calling for improving vaccination coverage, education, and research

“…It is encouraging to note that the municipal governments of Beijing and Shanghai have recently enacted a policy to provide insurance coverage for influenza vaccination for seniors living in their respective municipal areas. As cited by Chen et al, 1 vaccination coverage among seniors in Beijing has reached close to 50% 19 …”

“…It is with great pleasure that we provide this commentary with a focus on influenza vaccination for an expert consensus entitled “Recommendations for influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination in elderly people in China” to be published in this issue of Aging Medicine 1 . Influenza is a major global public health burden with pandemic threat.…”

“…As Chen et al 1 point out in the expert consensus paper, influenza vaccination coverage for older adults in China is extremely low. This is in the context of the largest and fastest growing older adult population, 16 leaving the majority of Chinese seniors unprotected by vaccination against influenza.…”