The Vaccine Doctors Are Begging Every Single Person Over 50 to Get This Winter
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new recommendations for respiratory virus season vaccines—and experts are urging some patients to add a jab to their vaccination schedule this year. Find out what shot you may need for the first time and why it's important.
The Vaccine Doctors Are Begging Every Single Person Over 50 To Get This Winter
The pneumococcal vaccine, which was previously recommended for patients ages 65 years or older, is now recommended for patients 50 and older.
"Now is a great time to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in preparation for the winter respiratory season," CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen said in a statement (via the Associated Press).
The vaccine is also recommended for children younger than five years of age, as well as for adults and children who may be at high risk for complications and/or have pre-existing conditions.
"This vaccine is important for individuals 50 years and older to reduce the risk of bacterial pneumonia," Dr. George Chaux, MD, board certified interventional pulmonologist and medical director of Interventional Pulmonary at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., told Parade, noting that the illness can be deadly for many at-risk patients. "It is particularly important in individuals over 50 years old with chronic health problems such as COPD, other chronic lung disease, immune-compromised states such as HIV disease and other conditions that place people at risk for respiratory infections."
🩺 SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week 💊
What Does the Pneumococcal Vaccine Protect Against?
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against pneumococcal diseases, which are spread through Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria strains, also called pneumococcus. They can cause a variety of infections that each have different symptoms, including:
Bacteremia, a serious bloodstream infection that can cause chills, fever and cognitive difficulty. Bacteremia is potentially deadly and can lead to losing limbs if untreated. The CDC notes that one in eight adults and one in 30 children infected with bacteremia die from the illness.
Meningitis, a serious illness that infects the spinal cord and brain that can cause confusion, light sensitivity, a stiff neck, headache and fever. Meningitis can cause hearing loss and, in children, developmental delays. According to the CDC, one in 12 children and 1 in 6 older adults infected with meningitis can die from the infection.
Pneumococcal pneumonia (infection in the lungs), which can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing, fever, chills and confusion. If untreated, pneumococcal pneumonia can lead to collapsed lungs, blocked airways, pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart) and empyema (an infection of the area surrounding the lungs). On average, one in 20 people infected with pneumococcal pneumonia dies from the disease.
Otitis media (a fancy name for a middle ear infection) that can cause ear pain, fatigue, fever and ear drum inflammation. These infections, thankfully, are usually mild, but uncomfortable to suffer through.
Sinusitis (sinus infection), which can cause halitosis (bad breath), coughing, sneezing, congestion, runny nose, facial pressure and pain, headache, post-nasal drip, fever and sore throat. These, like otitis media, are typically mild, but very unpleasant.
How Effective Is the Pneumococcal Vaccine?
The CDC reports that while it doesn't protect against all cases, the pneumococcal vaccine protects four in five healthy children from serious illness, as well as 75% of older adults against invasive pneumococcal disease and 45% of adults from pneumococcal pneumonia. It also protects between 60% and 70% of healthy adults from invasive pneumococcal diseases.
How Safe Is the Pneumococcal Vaccine?
The pneumococcal vaccine is safe and most patients don't have adverse reactions to it. Some patients may see mild side effects that can include fever, muscle aches, soreness or redness at the injection site and fatigue. These usually subside within two days.
Up Next:
Sources
"CDC Recommends Lowering the Age for Pneumococcal Vaccination from 65 to 50 Years Old." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Pneumococcoal Disease." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Types of Pneumococcal Vaccines." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.