Pneumococcal vaccine

In an agreement from 2018, between the State of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the national health insurance fund, it was agreed that the pneumococcal vaccine will not be fully reimbursed to people over 85 years of age. Democratic Party deputy Carole Hartmann asked the Minister for Social Security for the reasons for this age limit.

« Le 1er septembre 2018, une nouvelle convention entre l’État du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et la Caisse nationale de Santé est entrée en vigueur “portant institution d’un programme de vaccination des personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus, et de certaines personnes à risque contre le pneumocoque”. 

Conformément à ce programme de vaccination, les personnes éligibles ont droit à la prescription et à l’administration du vaccin, à la prise en charge au taux de cent pour cent (100 %) du prix public.

Cependant, il a été convenu que le “droit aux prestations prévues par le programme est garanti jusqu’à l’âge de 85 ans inclus”. En d’autres termes, les personnes âgées de plus de 85 ans n’ont plus droit au remboursement intégral de la vaccination.

À cet égard, j’aimerais poser les questions suivantes à Monsieur le Ministre de la Sécurité sociale :

  • Combien de personnes ont reçu un remboursement au taux de cent pour cent pour la vaccination contre le pneumocoque depuis l’entrée en vigueur de la nouvelle convention ? 
  • Monsieur le Ministre, peut-il fournir des explications concernant la limite d’âge de 85 ans, mentionnée ci-dessus? 
  • Ne s’avère-t-il pas opportun d’étendre le droit à la prise en charge au taux de cent pour cent du prix public, également aux personnes âgées de plus de 85 puisqu’elles sont tout aussi vulnérables que les personnes ciblées ? »

Answer

In their response, the ministers state that 12,076 people who bought a pneumococcal vaccine at a pharmacy in Luxembourg in 2020 are between 65 and 85 years old and 1,060 over 85 years old (5.8%).

The Superior Council of Infectious Diseases (CSMI) recommends the vaccination of people aged 65 to 84 inclusive, based on known data on vaccination efficiencies published at the time of the July 2015 recommendation.

The ministers believe however that the CSMI could seize the opportunity to update the recommendations on pneumococcal vaccination for adults.

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