Abstract:

Preventing the problem from occurring is undoubtedly an easy and inexpensive method compared to medical treatment. Vaccination of preventive health ser- vice, based on the basis of primary health care services, is essential for the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases and for reducing the losses associated with these diseases. There are two types of vaccines applied in our country against pneumococcal infections that cause significant morbidity and mortality in the elderly and high-risk adults: conjugate pneumococcal vaccine and polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine. Although the benefit of pneumococcal vaccines has been proven in adults, some further studies are needed because the rates of vaccination are not at the targeted level. It is necessary to train and raise awareness of vaccine practitioners, especially primary care staffs to provide the community with sufficient information about the benefits and possible risks of vaccines, to have regular health checks and records, and to provide vaccines in sufficient quantities and free of charge. This review was written to review the current situation in pneumococcal vaccine applications in adults and to emphasize the practices that need to contribute to increase vaccination rates.

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