EFFECTIVENESS OF INFLUENZA AND PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION IN PREVENTING HOSPITALISATION DUE TO PNEUMONIA IN OLDER PERSONS

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Flu and pneumococcus remain important causes of illness and death in Australia. They can cause pneumonia and severe respiratory illness, including death, especially in older people. This is because natural immunity against infections tends to decrease with age. Vaccination against flu and pneumococcus is therefore recommended for all persons aged 65 years or older, but only in Victoria are both vaccines publicly funded. The Victorian initiative appears to have had a marked impact on improving vaccination coverage, but its impact on disease has never been assessed. This study will estimate vaccination coverage, missed vaccination opportunities, effectiveness of flu and pneumococcal vaccines in preventing hospitalisation for pneumonia, and cost-effectiveness of the currently funded vaccination program in this age group. This is considered a priority because of the serious but preventable nature of the diseases caused by these infections. This study will improve awareness of the importance of vaccination among individuals, and given the high estimated vaccine coverage in older Victorians, is well placed to provide the first available evidence for or against effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of flu and pneumococcal vaccination in older Australians. The results may have major implications for public health policy in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia.