[Vaccination of the elderly against pneumococcal disease is cost-efficient. Mass vaccination of all aged 65 and over is recommended].

The pneumococcal vaccine has been shown to be about 70 percent efficacious in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease in elderly persons. In a European multicenter study, pneumococcal vaccination was moderately cost-effective in preventing hospital admission due to invasive pneumococcal disease in persons 65 years of age or above. In Sweden the cost was approximately 300,000 SEK per quality adjusted life years (QALY) gained, but only about 60,000 SEK per QALY in a two-way sensitivity analysis making reasonable assumptions regarding the incidence and mortality of invasive pneumococcal disease in this age group. On the basis of these findings, pneumococcal vaccination should be recommended for all persons 65 years of age or older.