Toward reducing the burden of pneumococcal disease in the Gulf States

摘要

In an article titled "Pneumococcal disease in the Arabian Gulf: Recognizing the challenge and moving toward a solution" [1], Feldman et al. highlighted the seriousness of the threat of invasive pneumococcal disease for the populations of the gulf region. As the authors determined, the primary driving forces for the increased susceptibility of these nations are the increasing numbers of vulnerable older individuals and the escalating prevalence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. On behalf of the Gulf Advocacy Group, the authors called on healthcare providers and policy makers in the Gulf States "to take steps toward addressing unmet needs to ease the burden of pneumococcal disease in adults". The authors suggested several interventions to achieve better implementation of the CDC guidelines [2] on the use of polyvalent pneumococcal vaccination including unifying vaccination policies across the region, improving disease epidemiological surveillance and increasing awareness among healthcare providers and the public.