Immune and protective effect of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in elderly population: a review

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important pathogen causing morbidity and mortality of in infants and the elderly and pneumococcal disease (PD) is one of the serious public health problems worldwide. Vaccine is an effective measure for pneumococcal infection prevention. Nowadays, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is the most commonly used vaccine among adult high risk population, especially among the elderly, for PD prevention. Studies at home and abroad indicated that PPSV23 was safe and effective. PPSV23 vaccination can reduce the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and respiratory infectious diseases, decrease PD disease burden, and improve health in elderly populations.