New fact sheet provides information about dangers and prevention options
Vienna (OTS) – In addition to COVID-19, influenza and, most recently, RSV, pneumococcal infections are somewhat overlooked in the public discussion as another potentially dangerous but vaccine-preventable respiratory disease. There are a large number of cases of the disease. The so-called invasive pneumococcal diseases claim numerous lives every year. Permanent consequential damage can also occur. Pneumococcal diseases not only put a strain on the health system, but they also have (economic) and social consequences. Pneumococcal infections sometimes also occur after viral infections such as COVID-19 or influenza.
Significant burden of disease
In Austria, around 30,000 people become ill with a pneumococcal infection every year. (1) The most common consequence of such an infection is pneumonia. In rare cases, sufferers also develop a so-called invasive pneumococcal disease (IPE), which can have serious consequences such as blood poisoning (sepsis) or inflammation of the meninges (meningitis). In 2022, 562 such cases were registered in Austria, and 49 people died as a result. (2) However, these numbers represent only the tip of the iceberg – non-invasive pneumococcal diseases are not sufficiently recorded, so there are no exact disease numbers for these and their consequences. According to WHO estimates, around 1.6 million people worldwide die every year as a result of a pneumococcal infection. (3)
„The numbers of pneumococcal infections, including invasive pneumococcal infections, are now almost at the same level as before the COVID-19 pandemic
“, explains Mag.a Renée Gallo-Daniel, President of the Austrian Association of Vaccine Manufacturers (ÖVIH). “It is feared that the number of invasive disease cases and deaths will continue to rise.
“
Protection for old and young people is necessary
Pneumococcal disease can affect both old and young people; transmission occurs through droplet infection. “Both groups must be well protected
“, emphasizes Mag.a Sigrid Haslinger, Vice President of the ÖVIH. “While the pneumococcal vaccination for infants and small children is available free of charge thanks to the Austrian children’s vaccination program, there is no public vaccination concept for adults.
“Vaccination rates are low and are around 20 percent for adults aged 18 and over. Haslinger: “Only a comprehensive adult vaccination program for people over 60 years of age and for risk groups in all age groups (people with COPD, asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, oncological diseases) can prevent many cases of illness, including complications (IPD, deaths) and significantly increase the vaccination rate.
“
Prevention is better than treatment
Pneumococcal diseases can generally be treated with antibiotics. However, the first antibiotic resistance was also detected in Austria in 2022. (2) “Preventive measures such as vaccinations are therefore the method of choice to prevent resistance from developing
“, explains Haslinger. Treatment with antibiotics often comes too late because the affected person does not go to the doctor in time and/or the illness is not diagnosed in time.
Positive cost-benefit analysis (1)
The pneumococcal vaccination pays off not only medically but also economically. According to calculations by the Institute for Pharmaeconomic Research, every euro invested in pneumococcal vaccination saves society EUR 1.92 – of which EUR 1.66 is saved in the healthcare system. With a constant vaccination rate of just under 20%, this corresponds to a saving of EUR 21.3 million over the five-year period from 2023-2027.With a higher vaccination rate, this effect could be significantly increased, which clearly – as with other recommended vaccinations in adults – supports inclusion in a publicly financed vaccination program
“, states ÖVIH President Gallo-Daniel and adds: “In addition, many absences from work could be avoided through timely vaccination.
“
Pneumococcal infections often occur as secondary infections after influenza and COVID-19 infections. “Such a multiple infection is therefore also associated with a more severe course of the disease, as has been known since the Spanish flu
“, explains ÖVIH Vice President Haslinger.
Proven subsidy model for individual health insurance companies
ÖVIH board colleague Haslinger adds: “BVAEB, KFA Graz, KFA Vienna and SVS already reimburse people aged 50 and over a (small) part of the cost of the pneumococcal vaccination.
The ÖVIH welcomes this step and supports the reform goal of the SV-OG to achieve uniformly good service quality across all federal states and health insurance companies.
Further information on pneumococcal diseases and pneumococcal vaccination in adults can be found in new ÖVIH fact sheet at: https://web.oevih.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/
(1) Budget impact analysis by the IPF on behalf of the ÖVIH.
(2) BMSGPK/AGES, National Reference Center for Pneumococci, Annual Report 2022.
(3) Pneumococcus – AGES
Questions & Contact:
For the Austrian Association of Vaccine Manufacturers
FINE FACTS Health Communication GmbH
Mag.a Uta Müller-Carstanjen
E: mueller-carstanjen@finefacts.at
M: +436645153040