The flu season is here. Most people know that they need a flu shot. But there remains a lot of confusion on who should get a pneumonia vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that almost 1 million people in the U.S. are hospitalized with pneumonia each year, and almost 50,000 die from the disease. Most of these deaths are preventable by vaccination. Streptococcus pneumonia or pneumococcus is the leading cause of pneumonia. Pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics, but some strains of the pneumococcus have developed resistance to some drugs. On top of that, S. pneumoniae can also cause bloodstream infections and meningitis, which are even more life-threatening than pneumonia.
Who is at Risk for pneumonia?:
- Adults over 65 years old.
- Anyone with a suppressed immune system (patients with cancer or on chemotherapy).
- Children under 5 years old.
- People with heart disease, asthma or diabetes.
What is the Pneumonia Vaccine?:
The pneumonia vaccine for adults (Pneumovax) is a polysaccharide vaccine that protects against 23 types (strains) of pneumonia. Pneumonia as a disease has changed and evolved into a more resistant disease to antibiotics. That is why it is so important to be vaccinated against the many strains of this bacterium. For over 30 years, the Pneumovax 23 has been recommended for everybody 65 and older.
What are the Side Effects?
Side effects from the vaccine are generally very mild, and it is considered a very safe vaccine. Common side effects include:
- Pain or redness at the injection site
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Very rarely, severe allergic reactions have been reported.
Is there a new pneumonia vaccine?
A new pneumococcal vaccine, Prevnar 13, has been in use in kids and adolescents since 2010. It only covers 13 strains of pneumococcus but it stimulates a much stronger immune response than Pneumovax 23. Recently Prevnar has been tested in and approved for use in seniors. Last month the CDC recommended Prevnar in everyone 65 and older.
New CDC recommendations:
Based on the above information, CDC now recommends two pneumococcal vaccines. Here’s the recommended timing:
- People 65 and over who haven’t received either vaccineshould first receive Prevnar 13 followed 6 to 12 months later by Pneumovax 23.
- People 65 and over who have already received Pneumovax 23 since they turned 65should receive Prevnar 13 at least a year after receiving Pneumovax 23.
- People 65 and over who have already received Pneumovax 23 before turning 65should receive Prevnar 13 at least a year after their most recent Pneumovax dose, and then should receive another dose of Pneumovax 6 to 12 months after the Prevnar.
The pneumonia vaccine can be given at the same time as the flu shot! So, get yourself protected against these preventable illnesses, and encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same.
This information is strictly an opinion of Dr Prakash, and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Dr Chris Prakash is a contributing columnist, and author of eParisExtra’s “The Doctor is In” column. He is a medical oncologist at Texas Oncology Paris. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Oncology and Hematology. He lives in Paris, TX with his wife and two children, and can be reached at 9037850031, or Sucharu.prakash@usoncology.com