Pneumococcal vaccines for cystic fibrosis
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Published on: July 16, 2020
Laura Burgess1, Kevin W Southern
1Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Eaton Road, Liverpool, UK, L12 2AP.
Insights
No clinical trials were found to evaluate pneumococcal vaccines for cystic fibrosis patients. Further research, like epidemiological studies, is needed to determine vaccine efficacy in this population.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Vaccinology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) causes significant mortality globally.
- Routine childhood pneumococcal vaccination is implemented in many countries.
- Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) in the USA and UK, despite uncommon IPD incidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccines in reducing morbidity in people with cystic fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- Searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register.
- Contacted pharmaceutical manufacturers of pneumococcal vaccines.
- Included randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing pneumococcal vaccination with placebo or no vaccination in CF patients.
Main Results:
- No relevant trials were identified for inclusion in this review.
Conclusions:
- No conclusions can be drawn regarding the efficacy of pneumococcal immunization in reducing morbidity or mortality in cystic fibrosis patients due to the absence of trials.
- Future randomized controlled trials are unlikely given widespread childhood vaccination schedules.
- Epidemiological studies may provide insights into pneumococcal vaccine efficacy in the cystic fibrosis population.
Background:
Invasive pneumococcal disease is associated with significant mortality and many countries have introduced routine pneumococcal vaccination into their childhood immunisation programmes. Whilst pneumococcal disease in cystic fibrosis is uncommon, pneumococcal immunisation may offer some protection against pulmonary exacerbations caused by this pathogen. In the USA and UK pneumococcal vaccination is currently recommended for all children and adults with cystic fibrosis. This is an update of a previously published review.
Objectives:
To assess the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccines in reducing morbidity in people with cystic fibrosis.
Search Methods:
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Cystic Fibrosis Trials Register, which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. In addition, the pharmaceutical manufacturers of the polysaccharide and conjugate pneumococcal vaccines were approached.Date of the most recent search: 27 June 2016.
Selection Criteria:
Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing pneumococcal vaccination (with either a polysaccharide or conjugate pneumococcal vaccine) with non-vaccination or placebo in children or adults with cystic fibrosis were eligible for inclusion.
Data Collection And Analysis:
No relevant trials were identified.
Main Results:
There are no trials included in this review.
Authors' Conclusions:
As no trials were identified we cannot draw conclusions on the efficacy of routine pneumococcal immunisation in people with cystic fibrosis in reducing their morbidity or mortality. As many countries now include pneumococcal immunisation in their routine childhood vaccination schedule it is unlikely that future randomised controlled trials will be initiated. Rigorously conducted epidemiological studies may offer the opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccination in reducing morbidity and mortality in people with cystic fibrosis.
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