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DECRYPTION – Responsible for serious complications and deaths, pneumococcal infections are an underestimated threat among the elderly. Faced with insufficient vaccination coverage, the High Authority of Health is preparing to publish new recommendations extended to all those over 65.
The leading cause of bacterial pneumonia and meningitis, pneumococcal infections constitute an underestimated burden among the elderly. Each year in France, they are responsible for the death of 10 to 30% of infected adults, particularly in people at risk (immunocompromised, diabetes, respiratory/renal failure, liver disease, heart disease).
However, if the vaccination coverage of infants is generally satisfactory (95.7% at the age of 24 months with at least 3 doses of pneumococcal vaccine), that of adults at risk, eligible for vaccination, is « very insufficient »underlines Professor Anne-Claude Crémieux, president of the technical commission for vaccinations of the High Authority for Health (HAS). In 2018, it was estimated at 4.5% of the adult target population, according to a HAS report. Faced with this observation, new vaccine recommendations are expected at the beginning of next week
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