Clinical efficacy of pneumococcal vaccination--a prospective study in patients with longstanding emphysema and/or bronchitis.

In a prospective study the clinical effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination was evaluated over a 12 months period and compared to a respective analysis of respiratory tract infections in the same patient population. Of 65 enrolled patients with severe and longstanding emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis 52 patients completed the study. One year after vaccination with pneumococcal vaccine in its 23-valent form the incidence of bacterial bronchitis or pneumonia averaged 28 %. As compared to a 12 months period prior vaccination the rate of pneumonia but not of bronchitis was significantly reduced.