Prevention: Vaccination

2. Prevention of disease progression and exacerbation

2.2 Vaccination

Vaccinations:

Influenza vaccine: Influenza vaccination can reduce serious illness and mortality in COPD patients. It is recommended to be administered yearly.

Pneumococcal vaccine: Pneumococcal vaccinations, PCV13 and PPSV23, are recommended for all patients who are 65 years of age and above with COPD. The PPSV23 is also recommended for younger patients with significant comorbidities. It is recommended that this vaccine is administered every 5 years.

The advice on COVID-19 is still being formulated, but it is clear that people with COPD are at risk of severe COVID and should be advised to be vaccinated in line with current recommendations.