Vaccines are important to get, particularly as flu season is around the corner. But there is another illness that isn’t on most people’s radar: pneumococcal disease. Thankfully, there is a vaccine.
Pneumococcal disease is extremely deadly, especially in adults. There are three major types: pneumococcal pneumonia, which affects the lungs, bacteremia, which affects the bloodstream, and meningitis. Ear infections and sinus infections are also common.
Although a vaccine cannot offer full protection, it is a great deterrent against the sickness. There are two types of vaccines, PCV13 and PPSV23. The former protects against 13 types of bacteria. It fights bacteria that causes minor ailments such as ear infections, but also against deadlier infections. The latter protects against 23 types of bacteria, including those that cause serious illnesses.
PCV13 is designed for infants under the age of 15 months and for all adults above the age of 19. It is safe for those with medical conditions. Adults above the age of 65 should get PPSV23. Children and adults who are at risk of pneumococcal disease should also get PPSV23.
Both vaccines are safe. They worked in “at least 8 to 10 babies” and “75 in 100 adults 65 years or older against pneumococcal disease,” according to the Center for Disease Control.
Pneumococcal pneumonia causes 400,000 hospitalizations annually. Bacterima and meningitis caused 3,700 deaths in 2013, the CDC said.
To learn more about why everyone should consider getting the vaccination, click here:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/public/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/about/index.html
