Pneumococcal vaccination in community homes for the elderly : a Maltese perspective

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Vulnerable individuals, such as the geriatric population, are at an increased risk. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Pneumococcal vaccines offer protection against both invasive disease and pneumonia caused by this pathogen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all adults over the age of 65 years should be vaccinated.

OBJECTIVE: To gather local data from a community home in Malta about the percentage of residents aged ≥65 years vaccinated against Streptococcus pneumoniae.

METHOD: Questionnaires were distributed to residents at Mtarfa home (and/or relatives in cases of cognitive impairment) to determine whether they were ever recommended the vaccine and whether they took it.

RESULTS: Out of a total of 65 completed questionnaires, only 12.3% had heard about the vaccine and only 7.7% took it. All vaccinated residents were female, and all had a chronic lung pathology.

CONCLUSION: Pneumococcal vaccine awareness and uptake were very low. This is probably multifactorial. Doctors should be made aware of the different formulations of pneumococcal vaccines available and promote their use when warranted. In October 2024, the national immunization program expanded pneumococcal vaccination to include the elderly. Adults aged 65+ are now eligible to receive the 20-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV20), as opposed to the 10-valent vaccine (PCV10) used for routine immunisation in infants.