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Vaccines

Pneumococcal vaccine for seniors — worth it or not?

Sources: 10 · Article: 13 856 characters

The STOP NOP Association states that polysaccharide vaccines against 23 pneumococcal serotypes are recommended for people over 65 and people with risk factors.

  • It describes them as safe, but notes that they do not affect carriage or population immunity.
  • It describes newer conjugate vaccines as very safe and effective; their use is said to reduce the number of carriers.
  • A general warning about the risk of complications after vaccination does not provide data about the pneumococcal vaccine.

What the authors write

Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP

Polysaccharide vaccines against 23 pneumococcal serotypes are recommended for people over 65 and people with risk factors.

„Pneumococcal vaccines of this kind are recommended for older people (over 65) and people with risk factors (diabetes, asplenia). Vaccines against meningococci (serogroups A and C) are recommended for people travelling to parts of the world where these groups cause most cases of meningococcal infection (e.g.”Takie szczepionki przeciwpneumokokowe zalecane są osobom starszym (powyżej 65 roku życia) oraz osobom z czynnikami ryzyka (cukrzyca, asplenia). Szczepionki przeciwko meningokokom (grupom serologicznym A i C) zalecane są osobom wyjeżdżającym w takie rejony świata, gdzie te grupy wywołują większość przypadków zakażeń meningokokowych (np.
Nie można się zarazić sepsą i nie ma przeciw niej szczepionki – Ogólnopolskie Stowarzyszenie Wiedzy o Szczepieniach "STOP NOP"
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP

Polysaccharide vaccines were described as safe, but as not affecting carriage or population immunity.

„These vaccines are safe and produce immunity only in people over two years of age. In addition, they have no effect on possible carriage and therefore do not increase population immunity. Pneumococcal vaccines of this kind are recommended for older people (over 65) and people with risk factors (diabetes, asplenia).”Tego rodzaju szczepionki są bezpieczne, wywołują odporność jedynie u osób powyżej drugiego roku życia, poza tym nie mają żadnego wpływu na stan ewentualnego nosicielstwa, a więc nie zwiększają odporności w populacji. Takie szczepionki przeciwpneumokokowe zalecane są osobom starszym (powyżej 65 roku życia) oraz osobom z czynnikami ryzyka (cukrzyca, asplenia).
Nie można się zarazić sepsą i nie ma przeciw niej szczepionki – Ogólnopolskie Stowarzyszenie Wiedzy o Szczepieniach "STOP NOP"
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP

Newer conjugate vaccines were described as very safe and effective, and their use is said to reduce the number of carriers.

„New-generation vaccines, known as conjugate vaccines, are very safe and effective even in children from two months of age, and have a clear effect in reducing the number of carriers. This in turn reduces the circulation of the bacterium in the population and for this reason causes what is known as”Szczepionki nowszej generacji, tzw. szczepionki koniugowane, są bardzo bezpieczne i skuteczne nawet u dzieci od drugiego miesiąca życia i mają wyraźny wpływ na obniżenie poziomu nosicieli. To z kolei powoduje obniżone krążenie danej bakterii w populacji i z tego powodu wywołuje tzw.
Nie można się zarazić sepsą i nie ma przeciw niej szczepionki – Ogólnopolskie Stowarzyszenie Wiedzy o Szczepieniach "STOP NOP"
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP

The available vaccines include two types of products against selected pneumococcal serotypes.

„Vaccines currently available include those against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Neisseria meningitidis groups C and A, and two types of vaccines against selected pneumococcal serotypes. Is an infection that develops into sepsis a death sentence for the patient?”Aktualnie dostępne są szczepionki przeciwko Haemophilus influenzae typu b (Hib), Neisseria meningitidis grupy C i A oraz dwa rodzaje szczepionek przeciwko wybranym serotypom pneumokoków. Czy zakażenie rozwijające się w sepsę jest wyrokiem dla chorego?
Nie można się zarazić sepsą i nie ma przeciw niej szczepionki – Ogólnopolskie Stowarzyszenie Wiedzy o Szczepieniach "STOP NOP"
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP

Vaccination was identified as the best way to protect against infections that can develop into sepsis.

„The empirical treatment regimen is determined on the basis of epidemiological studies, which provide information about the most common causes of infections in different age groups, as well as the antibiotic susceptibility of individual bacteria found in a given area. How can you protect yourself against sepsis? Vaccination is the best way to protect against infections that, in certain circumstances, can develop into sepsis.”Schemat terapii empirycznej ustalany jest na podstawie badań epidemiologicznych, które dostarczają informacji na temat najczęstszych czynników zakażeń występujących w różnych grupach wiekowych, jak również na temat wrażliwości na antybiotyki poszczególnych bakterii występujących na danym obszarze. Jak się uchronić przed sepsą? Najlepszym sposobem ochrony przed zakażeniami, które w pewnych okolicznościach może rozwinąć się w sepsę, są szczepienia ochronne.
Nie można się zarazić sepsą i nie ma przeciw niej szczepionki – Ogólnopolskie Stowarzyszenie Wiedzy o Szczepieniach "STOP NOP"
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP

A general warning says that vaccines may carry a risk of complications, but provides no data about the pneumococcal vaccine.

„in public health policy-making and in shared medical decisions made by doctors and patients.7 8 VACCINATION: KNOW THE RISKS As was the case with the first smallpox vaccine, every vaccine currently recommended by government health officials and medical associations carries a risk of complications, such as encephalitis, which can lead to chronic damage to the brain and immune system, and even death.9 10 11 12 13”w zakresie tworzenia polityki zdrowia publicznego oraz w zakresie wspólnych decyzji medycznych podejmowanych przez lekarzy i pacjentów.7 8 SZCZEPIENIA: POZNAJ RYZYKO Jak miało to miejsce w przypadku pierwszej szczepionki przeciwko ospie prawdziwej, każda szczepionka współcześnie zalecana przez urzędników rządowych resortu zdrowia i stowarzyszenia medyczne wiąże się z ryzykiem powikłań, takich jak zapalenie mózgu, które mogą prowadzić do przewlekłych uszkodzeń mózgu i układu odpornościowego, a nawet do śmierci.9 10 11 12 13
Szczepienia – poznaj ich ryzyko i skuteczność – Ogólnopolskie Stowarzyszenie Wiedzy o Szczepieniach "STOP NOP"

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 5 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 5 812.

A meta-analysis found that vaccination was associated with fewer hospitalizations from all causes and lower mortality from pneumonia among seniors.

Aim of the study: This meta-analysis assesses pneumococcal vaccine effectiveness in reducing hospitalization and mortality among the elderly. The studies retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane through March 2025.

Results: All-cause hospitalization dropped (OR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.91-0.97), especially in PPV-23 recipients, Asian populations, and those with comorbidities. Pneumonia mortality decreased across age groups >60, and all-cause mortality declined among those aged 60-75. No significant impact was observed on emergency visit rates. Although findings favor vaccine effectiveness, high heterogeneity warrants further comparative trials to confirm outcomes.

Effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination in reducing hospitalization and mortality among the elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis. · Hum Vaccin Immunother 2025
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

A review found an association between pneumococcal vaccination and a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, but it does not prove that the vaccine prevents it.

Aim of the study: The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate whether common adult vaccinations are associated with a reduced risk of dementia.

Results: Twenty-one studies (n = 104 031 186 participants) were included. Vaccination against herpes zoster was associated with a reduced risk of any dementia (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.69-0.83) and Alzheimer's disease (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.44-0.64). Influenza vaccination was linked to a reduction in dementia risk (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77-0.99), as was pneumococcal vaccination (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.47-0.87) for Alzheimer's disease. Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) vaccination was also associated with a significant reduction for any dementia (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.54-0.83). Adult vaccinations, particularly against herpes zoster, influenza, pneumococcus and Tdap, are associated with a lower risk of dementia. Vaccination strategies should be incorporated into public health initiatives for dementia prevention.

Association between vaccinations and risk of dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. · Age Ageing 2025
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)
Participants104 031 186

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

A review of two studies in people aged 65 and older found that the PCV20 vaccine triggered a strong immune response and was well tolerated.

Aim of the study: Objective To review the current literature available regarding the efficacy and safety of the 20-valent pneumococcal vaccine in older people and summarize the current recommendation for use in this patient population. Data Sources PubMed was searched using the following terms: (PCV20 [Title] or 20-valent [Title] or 20-valent Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine [Title]) and English (Language).

Results: Both trials demonstrated PCV20 elicited a robust immune response one month after vaccination. PCV20 was well-tolerated with adverse events similar to earlier Pneumococcal vaccine formulations. Conclusion The simplified Pneumococcal vaccine regimen of a singular PCV20 vaccination offers a compelling advancement. Longer-term studies are needed to show if PCV20 will improve vaccination rates and reduce Pneumococcal morbidity and mortality.

20-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Older People. · Sr Care Pharm 2023
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Studies described in the review indicated that the vaccine was effective, particularly in people at increased risk of infection who are likely to mount an immune response to it.

Aim of the study: Pneumococcal infections are common and serious infections, and their control is an important public health priority. A multivalent pneumococcal vaccine was introduced several years ago, but there is still controversy about its effectiveness in United States populations.

Results: Two large case control studies done in Pennsylvania and Connecticut hospitals have compared vaccination rates in patients with pneumococcal bacteremia with controls matched for disease severity and age. Bacteremic immunosuppressed patients who were unlikely to have responded to pneumococcal vaccine were excluded. These studies showed vaccine efficacy rates in the 60% to 70% range as did a prospective randomized controlled French trial that used episodes of pneumonia as an end point. Pneumococcal vaccine is effective when given to patients likely to respond immunologically and who are at increased risk from pneumococcal infection.

Pneumococcal vaccine. · Semin Respir Infect 1989
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In a cohort study, vaccination was associated with a lower incidence of pneumonia and savings in healthcare costs.

Aim of the study: We evaluated the efficacy and cost savings of the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine in a retrospective cohort study of 762 vaccinated and 1161 randomly selected unvaccinated age-sex matched persons in Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota using medical and pharmaceutical claims. The pneumonia incidence and the ratio of incidence in the postvaccination to prevaccination periods (rate ratio) were examined in the vaccine group by sex and risk factors.

Results: Immunocompromised and immunocompetent women had high efficacy (83% to 88%), while immunocompetent and immunocompromised men had lower efficacy (33%). Persons with a precondition of pneumonia exhibited similar vaccine efficacy to the overall cohort relative to the comparison group. Projected costs of pneumonia cases are 3.6 times the observed costs of vaccination and postvaccination pneumonia costs. We conclude that the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine is efficacious in persons having had pneumonia, persons "at risk" of developing pneumonia, or persons over 50 years of age, and it corresponds to overall savings of $141 per person.

Pneumococcal vaccine. Efficacy and associated cost savings. · JAMA 1990
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyobservation of people

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Perspectives and opinion materials

The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.

Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„One review of ten RCTs found an efficacy of 59% for adults aged 18-65 years.[36] Another review stated "there is strikingly limited good-quality evidence (all GRADE B, C or not existing) of the effectiveness of influenza vaccination on complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization and influenza-specific and overall mortality."[37] However, a review in 2004 found that "vaccine efficacy were 22% (95% CI = 16-28) for preventing clinically diagnosed cases of influenza and 63% (95% CI = 53-71) for preventing laboratory confirmed cases of influenza.".[38] One problem with report of influenza vaccine effectiveness is selection bias.[39] Who is going to fund and publish a study showing that influenza vaccination is not effective?”One review of ten RCTs found an efficacy of 59% for adults aged 18-65 years.[36] Another review stated "there is strikingly limited good-quality evidence (all GRADE B, C or not existing) of the effectiveness of influenza vaccination on complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization and influenza-specific and overall mortality."[37] However, a review in 2004 found that "vaccine efficacy were 22% (95% CI = 16-28) for preventing clinically diagnosed cases of influenza and 63% (95% CI = 53-71) for preventing laboratory confirmed cases of influenza.".[38] One problem with report of influenza vaccine effectiveness is selection bias.[39] Who is going to fund and publish a study showing that influenza vaccination is not effective?
"The End of Illness" Needs a Dose of Vitamin D
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„The pooled effect in those healthy adults, aged 18 to 65, is reported as 57%, which means the vaccine roughly halves your chances of getting flu. What is well known about placebo effects can account for most of that 57% effect. If you know you've had a shot for the flu you think you're invincible. But since the chance of getting flu in that age group was less than 3% to begin with, that's really only about a 11/2 percent reduction. Rounding the figures off, if you're a healthy adult, the flu vaccine will reduce your risk of actually getting the flu from 1 in 36 to 1 in 83. These are figures that are not offered in any of these studies.”The pooled effect in those healthy adults, aged 18 to 65, is reported as 57%, which means the vaccine roughly halves your chances of getting flu. What is well known about placebo effects can account for most of that 57% effect. If you know you've had a shot for the flu you think you're invincible. But since the chance of getting flu in that age group was less than 3% to begin with, that's really only about a 11/2 percent reduction. Rounding the figures off, if you're a healthy adult, the flu vaccine will reduce your risk of actually getting the flu from 1 in 36 to 1 in 83. These are figures that are not offered in any of these studies.
Flu Vaccine: No Good Evidence
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„(2020) Immunogenicity and safety of a recombinant adenovirus type-5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine in healthy adults aged 18 years or older: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial. Lancet, 396:479-488. Ayettey AS. (2020) A Case for Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash and Gargle to Limit SARS-Co-2 Infection. McCarron RM, Sandor B. (2020) COVID-19. Vaccine Compliance. Anand JK. (2020) Re: UK agrees “early access” deal with companies to get 90 million vaccine doses.”(2020) Immunogenicity and safety of a recombinant adenovirus type-5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine in healthy adults aged 18 years or older: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial. Lancet, 396:479-488. Ayettey AS. (2020) A Case for Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash and Gargle to Limit SARS-Co-2 Infection. McCarron RM, Sandor B. (2020) COVID-19. Vaccine Compliance. Anand JK. (2020) Re: UK agrees “early access” deal with companies to get 90 million vaccine doses.
COVID-19: Efficient Protection of Contacts is Simpler than Imagined

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