Pneumococcal immunization and public health: the Canadian experience

Pneumococcal vaccine has been poorly used in Canada, despite strong recomme ndations for its use by the Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immuniz ation. In a recent survey of health officials, however, seven of the 12 Can adian provinces and territories were found to either have a programme for a ll persons > 65 years of age or were planning to implement one within the n ext year. Factors that have contributed to this increased interest include: better data on disease incidence and preventable illness from population-b ased surveillance; data on emerging resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Canada to penicillin and other antimicrobials; implementation of vaccine programmes for the elderly by public health officials in Ontario, Nova Sco tia and British Columbia; completion of a cost-benefit study of pneumococca l vaccine for Canada; and increased attention to pneumococcal vaccination a t national immunization meetings and in the medical literature. Increased a vailability of vaccine and competitive pricing are also making programmes f or the elderly more feasible and affordable. A national meeting entitled 'P reventing Pneumococcal Disease: A Canadian Consensus Conference' was held i n February 1998 Co further build on this growing interest. Published by Els evier Science Ltd.