Should you get the pneumonia vaccination? [Infographic]

Are you in danger for pneumonia? This lethal illness reaches its peak in the course of the winter months, however it may be contracted any time of the yr.

Based on The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), about 900,000 People get pneumonia yearly and 45,000 to 63,000 folks die from pneumonia-related issues. Whereas a flu shot is inspired yearly, not everyone wants a pneumonia vaccine, mentioned Brian Curtis, MD, MD, vp of Medical Specialty Companies for OSF Medical Group.

“The percentages of getting pneumonia as a younger, wholesome grownup are fairly low, whereas the percentages of getting the flu are fairly good,” Dr. Curtis mentioned. “Immunizing is a really advantageous approach to assist stop lots of diseases. You shield your self and also you additionally shield these round you. There’ll all the time be a subsection of the inhabitants that shall be susceptible to pneumonia resulting from medical circumstances or as a result of they can not get vaccinated. Getting your self vaccinated additionally helps hold that susceptible inhabitants safer.”

Younger, wholesome adults who sadly get pneumonia can anticipate to expertise cough, fever and a prescription for about 5-7 days’ price of antibiotics. Nevertheless, folks with medical circumstances are at a better threat of issues that may result in hospitalization and even loss of life.

Vaccine varieties

There are two sorts of pneumonia vaccine. The primary vaccine is the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). The second vaccine is the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). Wholesome adults below the age of 65 don’t want both one. Nevertheless, relying in your well being, you may must get each to guard your self from pneumonia and any probably harmful issues.

PCV13

This vaccine is given to infants in a sequence of photographs till the age of 15 months. The U.S. authorities recommends that an individual receives one dose between the age of 6 and 18. Between the ages of 19 and 64, anyone with a blood dysfunction, a broken or lacking spleen, a compromised immune system, kidney illness or most cancers, ought to get this vaccine.

At age 65, everybody ought to focus on with their major care supplier whether or not or not they need to get this vaccine.

PPSV23

Like the opposite vaccine sort, this vaccine needs to be given to all folks age 65 or older. Anyone age 19 or older who’s a smoker, or who has bronchial asthma, ought to get this vaccine, too.

Individuals between the ages of two and 64 ought to get this vaccine, too, if they’ve coronary heart illness, lung illness, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, alcoholism, a compromised immune system, a broken or lacking spleen or most cancers.*

For extra particulars about who ought to get the pneumonia vaccine, and when they need to get it, please go to the CDC website and the HHS website.

Not like the flu vaccine, adults don’t must get the pneumonia shot yearly. The pneumonia vaccines usually final about 10 years, in line with Dr. Curtis. Now we have offered a handy chart that can assist you decide if you’re at a better threat of issues and will contact your physician’s workplace to ask concerning the pneumonia vaccine.

In case you have any questions or issues about whether or not or not you want the pneumonia vaccine, please name your physician’s workplace. Don’t have a major care doctor? Discover one here.

* Division of Well being and Human Companies (HHS)

Final Up to date: November 20, 2020