Vaccine
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Meta Analysis
Efficacy of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in immunocompetent adults: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.
The use of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) is low in some countries, maybe because of doubts regarding its efficacy. This meta-analysis aims at combining evidence from randomized trials of PPV assessing its efficacy in preventing Streptococcus pneumoniae related diseases in immunocompetent adults. In the fourteen trials totalling 48,837 patients retrieved, PPV prevents definite pneumococcal pneumonia by 71%, presumptive pneumococcal pneumonia by 40%, and mortality due to pneumonia by 32%, but not all-cause pneumonia or death. No preventive effect was seen in the subgroup of patients aged 55 years or more, possibly due to a lack of statistical power.
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Vaccinations are one of the most effective preventive procedures in modern medicine. However, earlier studies have indicated that homoeopathic physicians do not recommend or apply vaccinations as frequently as their allopathic colleagues. Few studies have been undertaken to clarify this question and most of these have not distinguished between medically and non-medically qualified homoeopathic practitioners. ⋯ The answers show that the responding homoeopathic physicians do not generally refuse vaccines but rather view them with a specific hierarchy. The 'classical' vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria and poliomyelitis are applied to nearly the same degree as by non-homoeopathic colleagues. Vaccines against childhood diseases, risk group vaccinations and vaccinations judged as ineffective are applied and accepted with more restraint by homoeopathic physicians.