{"id":16433,"date":"2026-03-22T11:40:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T03:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vaxlab.dukekunshan.edu.cn\/?post_type=project-news&p=16433"},"modified":"2026-07-13T21:34:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T13:34:02","slug":"how-pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccines-protect-older-adults-evidence-practice-and-vaccination-strategies","status":"publish","type":"project-news","link":"https:\/\/vaxlab.dukekunshan.edu.cn\/en\/project-news\/how-pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccines-protect-older-adults-evidence-practice-and-vaccination-strategies\/","title":{"rendered":"How Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines Protect Older Adults: Evidence, Practice, and Vaccination Strategies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Highlight Summary:<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We reviewed the current evidence and vaccination strategies for Pneumococcal disease prevention in older adults, with a focus on the evolving role of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). Pneumococcal disease remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) carrying a case fatality rate of approximately 26%, particularly affecting older adults and immunocompromised populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The introduction of PCVs into pediatric immunization programs has significantly reduced IPD incidence not only among children but also indirectly among older adults through herd protection. Studies show that vaccines such as PCV10 and PCV13, when widely used in children, lower disease burden and mortality in adults aged 65 years and above. However, the emergence of non-vaccine serotypes highlights the need for vaccines with broader coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newer, higher-valent PCVs have been developed to address this challenge. Evidence suggests that PCV13 provides moderate protection against IPD and pneumococcal pneumonia, though effectiveness may vary with age. PCV15 has demonstrated immunogenicity comparable or superior to PCV13, particularly for certain serotypes, with a similar safety profile. PCV20 further expands serotype coverage and has shown strong immunogenicity and effectiveness in clinical trials and real-world studies, including reductions in disease burden among elderly populations. Additional candidates such as PCV21 and PCV24 also show promising immunogenicity and safety in early-phase trials, suggesting continued progress in vaccine development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In immunocompromised adults, PCVs, especially PCV13 and PCV15 have demonstrated good safety and the ability to induce protective immune responses. Sequential vaccination strategies (e.g., PCV15 followed by the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, PPSV23) are recommended by professional organizations to enhance protection in high-risk populations, including patients with HIV, cancer, and those receiving immunosuppressive therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coadministration of PCVs with other vaccines has also been explored. Studies indicate that coadministration with vaccines such as tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) or hepatitis A is generally safe, though effects on immunogenicity may vary depending on timing and population. Some evidence suggests reduced immune responses when certain vaccines are given sequentially, while simultaneous administration may mitigate this effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though China has not yet approved the expanded indications of PCV vaccine for older adults, the global experience demonstrates that pneumococcal disease prevention requires a life-course immunization strategy. The accumulated evidence provides important guidance for optimizing adult vaccination policies and reducing disease burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Relevant Research Articles:<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Luvira V, Ngamprasertchai T, Pitisuttithum P. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in older adults and immunocompromised individuals. Expert Review of Vaccines. 2026; 25(1): 2602525. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/14760584.2025.2602525<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Niyati R, Rezahosseini O, Ekenberg C, Larsen CS, Harboe ZB. Immunogenicity and safety of pneumococcal vaccines co-administered with common travel vaccines in adults: a systematic review. Vaccines. 2025; 13: 643. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/vaccines13060643<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Riekkinen M, Pakkanen SH, Hutse V, et al. Coadministered pneumococcal conjugate vaccine decreases immune response to hepatitis A vaccine: a randomized controlled trial. Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 2023; 29(12): 1553-1560. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cmi.2023.07.001<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Tashani M, Alfelali M, Barasheed O, et al. Effect of Tdap when administered before, with or after the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (coadministered with the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine) in adults: a randomised controlled trial. Vaccine. 2016; 34(49): 5929-5937. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.vaccine.2016.10.002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Content Editor: Tianyi Deng<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Page Editor: Ruitong Li<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Highlight Summary: We reviewed the current evidence and vaccination strategies for Pneumococcal disease prevention in older adults, with a focus on the evolving role of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). Pneumococcal disease remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) carrying a case fatality rate of approximately 26%, particularly affecting older adults […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":16277,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"type_label":"none_selected"},"news-category":[73],"class_list":["post-16433","project-news","type-project-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-category-research-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vaxlab.dukekunshan.edu.cn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project-news\/16433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vaxlab.dukekunshan.edu.cn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project-news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vaxlab.dukekunshan.edu.cn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/project-news"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vaxlab.dukekunshan.edu.cn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16277"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vaxlab.dukekunshan.edu.cn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vaxlab.dukekunshan.edu.cn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-category?post=16433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}