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STIKO publishes revised vaccination recommendations
The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) has published its current vaccination recommendations. The focus is on precision in protecting against pneumococci. Among other things, these bacteria can cause severe pneumonia.
New vaccination recommendations published
The Standing Vaccination Commission at the Robert Koch Institute (STIKO) has published its new recommendations in the "Epidemiological Bulletin" (34/2016). According to a RKI communication, the focus is on revising the recommendations on pneumococcal vaccination for the elderly and other vulnerable groups at risk. According to the information, the STIKO also gives for the first time instructions for reducing pain and stress reactions in vaccination.
The STIKO has published its new vaccination recommendations. The focus is on precision in protecting against pneumococci. (Image: auremar / fotolia.com) Main cause of bacterial pneumonia
Pneumococci are pathogens that in many cases cause infections such as sinusitis or middle ear infection. However, potentially life-threatening diseases such as meningitis and pneumonia as well as blood poisoning can also be caused by these bacteria.
"Pneumococci are the main cause of bacterial pneumonia in Europe. The STIKO estimates that more than 5,000 people in Germany die every year from pneumococcal disease," the experts write. According to this, children under the age of two, people over the age of 60, as well as children, adolescents and adults with certain underlying diseases, for example persons with immunodeficiency or with chronic diseases of the heart or lungs, are at particular risk.
Second vaccine available
According to the communication, in addition to the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), which has been approved since 1983, a second vaccine for the vaccination of adults is available for several years with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). This has prompted STIKO to revise its recommendations on pneumococcal vaccines for adults.
For children under two years, nothing changes
According to a thorough analysis of all available studies, the STIKO therefore recommends a single vaccine with PPSV23 for all persons over the age of 60 years. PPSV23 has the advantage over PCV13 of protecting against a much broader spectrum of the more than 90 pneumococcal serotypes. Only for people with immunodeficiency and a few other risk groups is an additional vaccination with PCV13 useful.
For children under the age of two, the recommendation of routine conjugate vaccine vaccination remains in place because they do not develop a sufficient immune response after vaccination with PPSV23.
Better implementation of recommendations desirable
"According to the Infection Protection Act, the recommendations of the STIKO are still the basis for the public recommendations of the federal states. This alone makes it clear that in the decisions of the STIKO the public interest in a vaccination has a considerable significance, "writes STIKO chairman Dr. med. Jan Leidel in a message.
However, according to the experts, a better implementation of vaccination recommendations is urgently needed. It is said that only 31 percent of seniors (aged 65 to 79 years) have been vaccinated against pneumococci. This is shown by data of the German adult health study DEGS of the RKI. The pneumococcal vaccine can be given at the same vaccination as the flu shot, which is also recommended for the elderly and the chronically ill of all ages.
Pain and stress reduced vaccination
For the first time, the STIKO provides information on the reduction of pain and stress reactions in vaccination. "It is not uncommon for pain and stress reactions to occur when injecting vaccines. The fear or worry of possible pain can negatively affect attitudes towards the doctor's visit, vaccination and acceptance of vaccines for a lifetime, both in children and their parents, "states the current Bulletin.
There are now several evidence-based recommendations for pain and stress reduced vaccination. It lists certain injection techniques, analgesic medications, and age-related distraction methods. "We would like to encourage the medical profession to consider these indications for pain-reduced vaccination in everyday practice and thus to promote vaccination acceptance in the population," say the experts. (Ad)