Question on Pneumonia Vaccine

Dear Dr. Spence,
What are the advantages of getting a pneumonia vaccine? I have known people who get the shot but still end up getting pneumonia.
Signed,
Imma Wheezin

Dear Imma,
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults over the age of 65. Despite this, it is speculated that only 50% of eligible patients actually receive the vaccine. Obvious blame can be placed on physicians who may fail to question patients about their immunization status given time constraints. Patients may also be hesitant to get the vaccine secondary to their lack of information regarding benefits and efficacy, or simply they fear the injection/needle itself. The pneumovax protects against streptococcus pneumoniae, which remains the most common causative organism in bacterial pneumonia. There are probably 175,000 annual hospitalizations that can be linked to strep pneumonia and pneumococcal disease accounts for more than 6000 deaths per year. More than 50% of these cases are in patients whom vaccination was recommended based on age alone. The vaccine is considered extremely efficacious. A three-year study of over 47,000 people over the age of 65 revealed that the pneumonia vaccine reduced the risk of serious pneumococcal disease by 44% and decreased the risk of mortality by 16%. It does not prevent the incidence of community-acquired pneumonia, but it does decrease the likelihood of more severe life-threatening infections that are associated with the bug. Rates of death or admission to the ICU were decreased from 21% to 10% when patients were vaccinated previously. Again, the pneumovax is recommended for any patient over the age of 65. For those less than 65, the vaccine may be indicated based on individual health risks and co-morbidities. For example, it is generally suggested that patients at increased risk of illness or death from pneumococcal pneumonia be immunized as well. This may include anyone suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus or others. Though it is felt that the pneumovax is a one-time injection, the CDC recommends boosters at ten-year intervals. Vaccines are an important public health measure for disease prevention. Global success depends on patients and clinicians working together to adhere to published vaccination guidelines. Assuredly, this will help decrease morbidity from pneumococcal disease, which in turn will translate to saved lives.

Do you have any medical questions or concerns that you would like addressed? You can contact Dr. Spence by email at panhandledailydose@hotmail.com or by mailing your question to Daily Dose, P.O. Box 6107, Marianna, FL 32446.