French health authority issues pneumococcal vaccine recommendation for over 65s

FOUR SEASONAL VACCINES ARE NOW RECOMMENDED FOR THIS AGE GROUP France’s health advisory authority is recommending that pneumococcal vaccine coverage be extended to cover all people aged 65

and over and not just those with comorbidities. It comes amidst a rise in cases of pneumococcal pneumonia in France, which has a fatality rate of 10% in hospitals. Older patients are

particularly affected. A vaccine has been recommended for people aged 65 and over with comorbidities since July 2023, but now the Haute autorité de sante (HAS) wants this widened to include

everyone in the age group.  The seasonal vaccine is administered in a single dose, and can be given concurrently alongside other vaccines such as against Covid and flu. It is up to the

French Health Ministry to decide if they wish to follow the recommendation (historically it usually does). The HAS issued its report independently of the ministry. It means for people ages

65 and over four vaccines – against Covid, influenza, shingles, and now pneumococcus – and one booster (DTP, diphtheria, tetanus and polio) are recommended. Flu vaccine coverage has been

exceptionally extended to the end of February this winter period after a spike in flu cases this January. Read more: Flu: French health authorities extend vaccination campaign as cases soar

HALF OF HOSPITALISATIONS INVOLVE PATIENTS WITHOUT COMORBIDITIES The Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium – which is responsible for pneumococcal infections – is the leading cause of invasive

infections (meningitis, bacteremia) in adults in France. It is also a leading cause of flu in France.  Around 60% of these infections occur in patients aged 65 and over, and the severity of

illnesses triples in people of this age group.  The HAS states in its report that age alone is considered a risk factor for infection from the bacteria. Around half of all people aged 65 and

over who are hospitalised with pneumonia, and a quarter of all patients hospitalised for an invasive pneumococcal infection such as meningitis of that age group have no comorbidities. Read

more: Are shingles vaccines free for people in the French health system?