Seniors Need Pneumonia, Seasonal Flu Shots; CDC
Finds Pneumonia Bacteria in H1N1 Fatalities
CDC Advisory Committee recommends single dose of
PPSV23 (23valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine) for all senior
citizens
Oct. 1, 2009 - Senior citizens may have relaxed
about the H1N1 flu shot, convinced it seems more likely to attack
younger people, but they do have vaccinations they should worry about.
They should not only be getting their vaccination for the seasonal flu
but need to get their pneumonia vaccination, too, according to an alert
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many people who
have died from H1H1 this year were also infected with pneumonia
bacteria, warns the CDC.
These co-infections with a common bacteria
(Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus) likely contributed to their
death, according to a report published in the CDC Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report. Pneumonia is an inflammation of one or both
lungs, usually caused by infection from a bacterium or virus.
CDC is reminding people of the importance of being
vaccinated against this common bacterium and advising them to talk with
their doctor.
CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP) recommends a single dose of PPSV23 (the 23valent pneumococcal
polysaccharide vaccine) for all people 65 years and older and for
persons 2 to 64 years of age with certain high-risk conditions.
People in these groups are at increased risk of
pneumococcal disease as well as serious complications from influenza.
A
single revaccination at least five years after initial vaccination is
recommended for people 65 years and older who were first vaccinated
before age 65 years as well as for people at highest risk, such as those
who have no spleen, and those who have HIV infection, AIDS or
malignancy.
All people who have existing indications for PPSV23
should continue to be vaccinated according to current ACIP
recommendations during the outbreak of novel influenza A(H1N1).
Emphasis should be placed on vaccinating people
aged less than 65 years who have established high-risk conditions
because PPSV23 coverage among this group is low and because people in
this group appear to be overrepresented among severe cases of novel
influenza A (H1N1) infection, based on currently available data.
Our influenza season is off to a fast start and
unfortunately there will be more cases of bacterial infections in people
suffering from influenza, said CDC Epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Moore.
It′s really important for people, especially those
at high risk for the serious complications from influenza, to check with
their provider when they get their influenza vaccine about being
vaccinated against pneumococcus.
The CDC report included an analysis of specimens
taken from 77 fatal cases of 2009 H1N1.
Bacterial co-infections, including some caused by
Streptococcus pneumonia, were noted in about a third of those cases.
The CDC does not have senior citizens on a high
priority for the H!N! vaccination, due to an apparent immunity found in
seniors. For more detail see story linked in sidebar above on left.
Oct. 1, 2009 - Senior citizens may have relaxed
about the H1N1 flu shot, convinced it seems more likely to attack
younger people, but they do have vaccinations they should worry about.
They should not only be getting their vaccination for the seasonal flu
but need to get their pneumonia vaccination, too, according to an alert
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many people who
have died from H1H1 this year were also infected with pneumonia
bacteria, warns the CDC.
