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Summary Objectives: Despite strong national and international recommendations on immunization practices, rates for influenza (IV) and pneumococcal vaccinations (PV) are low. We aimed to review international immunization rates and to analyze attitudes and beliefs regarding IV and PV. Study design: Systematic review. Method: The MEDLINE database search comprised articles from 1966 to October 2005. Fourteen surveys evaluating a total number of 49292 participants in nine different countries were included into the analysis. Results: Vaccination rates among risk groups do vary significantly between different countries, reaching highest rates in the USA (IV, 82%; PV, 71%) and lowest in former West-Germany for IV (37%) and in Israel for PV (20%). Recommendations by doctors play a central rote in promoting IV and PV. The main reason for not being vaccinated was tack of information. Conclusion: Specific strategies targeted at groups are needed to increase the knowledge of IV and PV, and thereby decrease incidences of acute lung diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]