Wondering? Questions About Healthy Aging: Pneumonia Vaccine

Senior-Circle-Questions-About-Healthy-Aging-VaccineFrom the 2011 Spring Senior Circle publication

Q: “I just turned 65 and my doctor recommended that I get a pneumonia shot. Do I really need one?”

A: “The pneumonia vaccine is a good idea for patients 65 and older and for others at higher risk, such as those with chronic cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, COPD or a compromised immune system,” said Geraldine Feria, MD, with Wanatah Primary Care. Consider that about 10,000 people die each year because of invasive bacterial infections.

As we get older, or if we have other health issues, a simple pneumonia that would ordinarily be treated as an outpatient can become more severe, causing patients to end up in the Intensive Care Unit on a ventilator or with a more invasive infection,” said Feria.

Not only does the shot give you protection against the most common subtypes of pneumococcal pneumonia, it also helps prevent meningitis and sepsis or blood infections,” said Feria. The other good news about the pneumonia shot is that you only need to get it once after the age of 65. The pneumonia shot can be given at any time of the year – even at the same time as a flu shot – without compromising the effectiveness of either vaccine.

Patients generally tolerate the shot very well, Feria said. She warns that no vaccination can protect against all types of pneumonia (including viral), so practicing good hygiene and maintaining good overall health should remain priorities even if you’re vaccinated.


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Phone: 219-263-4600