Participants attend the scientific symposia on 'Assessing the impact of pneumococcal diseases in adults and evaluating the effectiveness of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines'. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

HCM CITY — Health experts have shared the latest knowledge on the impact of pneumococcal diseases in adults and the effectiveness of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines. 

At a series of scientific symposia, they warned that in Việt Nam and globally, population ageing and the rise in chronic diseases would lead to higher rates of pneumococcal infection and increased treatment costs.

The event, on August 21 and 22, heard reports on the burden of pneumococcal disease in adults and the epidemiology of pneumococcal strains and highlighted the dangers of pneumococcal diseases, particularly for the elderly and those with chronic conditions. 

Additionally, the reports discussed the challenges in treating pneumococcal diseases due to rising antibiotic resistance, which leads to increased treatment costs and duration. Consequently, the importance of vaccination and the role of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for both patients and the broader community were emphasised.

Participants heard that across Việt Nam and globally, actively preventing pneumococcal infection with vaccines can be considered an effective strategy to reduce the burden of disease, combat antibiotic resistance and lower medical expenses on a macro level.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a prevalent cause of community-acquired pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and bacteremia worldwide. Older adults, children and immunocompromised individuals are particularly susceptible to pneumococcal disease.

Furthermore, older adults with chronic conditions such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart disease face an increased risk of pneumococcal disease. Not only does pneumococcus cause high infection rates, but it also leads to fatalities from related diseases, particularly in children and older adults.

Dr. Eva Polverino, Head of the Research Unit in Respiratory Infections at the Department of Respiratory Diseases, Hospital Vall d’Hebron in Barcelona, Spain, said: “Although significant progress has been made in reducing mortality from lower respiratory tract infections and pneumococcal infections, the burden remains high. The risk of invasive pneumococcal disease in adults increases with age and the presence of comorbidities. Multiple chronic diseases may further elevate this risk”.

According to statistics, in Việt Nam, the average cost of treatment for each patient with community-acquired pneumonia ranges from VNĐ15-23 million (equivalent to US$ 600-1,000), with an average hospital stay of between six and thirteen days. Therefore, timely prevention is crucial in minimising the risk of disease and the harmful effects of pneumococcal disease.

Associate Professor Đỗ Văn Dũng from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in HCM City said: “Risk factors that increase the likelihood of pneumococcal disease in adults include age, particularly for those over 65 years old and weakened immune conditions such as HIV, haematological cancers, chronic kidney failure, or the use of immunosuppressive drugs.

"Chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and chronic liver disease also elevate the risk. Lifestyle behaviours such as smoking and alcoholism further increase the risk, as smoking weakens the immune system and heightens the risk of respiratory infections, while alcoholism can impair liver function and the immune system.

“In addition to non-specific preventive measures such as wearing masks, avoiding crowded places, and limiting transmission routes, active prevention with vaccines is one of the most important solutions,” added Dũng.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.6 million people die each year from pneumococcal disease, including 600,000 to 800,000 adults, primarily due to pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis.

Over 90 per cent of these deaths occur in developing countries.

Even in developed countries, however, invasive pneumococcal disease has a high mortality rate, averaging 10-20 per cent in adults with pneumococcal pneumonia and this rate is significantly higher in individuals with risk factors for the disease. In Việt Nam alone, the mortality rate of pneumonia in 2021 was 18.2 per 100,000 people. — VNS