Pneumococcal vaccine in the elderly - The Norwegian experience

Pneumococcal infections have increased during the last 10 to 15 years in No rway. Their incidence is now about 20 per 100 000 population for all age gr oups, but is 2 to 3 times higher among the elderly. In 1996, the Advisory B oard of Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health, No rway, recommended that pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine should be admini stered to all individuals aged greater than or equal to 65 years. This reco mmendation has led to an increased use of pneumococcal vaccine, with a mark ed peak during the influenza vaccination season.