How Often Pneumonia Vaccine For Seniors

Tetanus Diphtheria And Pertussis Vaccines

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are diseases caused by bacteria that can lead to serious illness and death.

• Tetanus is caused by bacteria found in soil, dust, and manure. It can enter the body through a deep cut or burn.
• Diphtheria is a serious illness that can affect the tonsils, throat, nose, or skin. It can spread from person to person.
• Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, causes uncontrollable, violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. It can spread from person to person.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Most people get vaccinated as children, but you also need booster shots as you get older to stay protected against these diseases. The CDC recommends that adults get a Tdap or Td booster shot every 10 years. Ask a health care provider when you need your booster shot.

Flu Vaccine For Older Adults

Flu short for influenza is a virus that can cause fever, chills, sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, and muscle aches. Flu is very serious when it gets in your lungs. Older adults are at a higher risk for developing serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia.

The flu is easy to pass from person to person. The virus also changes over time, which means you can get it again. To ensure flu vaccines remain effective, the vaccine is updated every year.

Everyone age 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine, but the protection from a flu vaccine can lessen with time, especially in older adults. Still, you are less likely to become seriously ill or hospitalized with the flu if you get the vaccine. A flu vaccine is especially important if you have a chronic health condition such as heart disease or diabetes.

Ideally, you should get your vaccine by the end of October each year so you are protected when the flu season starts. It takes at least two weeks for the vaccine to be effective. However, if you have not received your flu vaccine by the end of October, its not too late flu season typically peaks in December or January. As long as the flu virus is spreading, getting vaccinated will help protect you.

Adults 65 Years Or Older

CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults 65 years or older. The tables below provide detailed information.

For adults 65 years or older who have not previously received any pneumococcal vaccine, CDC recommends you:

• Give 1 dose of PCV15 or PCV20.

• If PCV15 is used, this should be followed by a dose of PPSV23 at least one year later. The minimum interval is 8 weeks and can be considered in adults with an immunocompromising condition, cochlear implant, or cerebrospinal fluid leak.

• If PCV20 is used, a dose of PPSV23 is NOT indicated.

For adults 65 years or older who have only received PPSV23, CDC recommends you:

• May give 1 dose of PCV15 or PCV20.

• The PCV15 or PCV20 dose should be administered at least one year after the most recent PPSV23 vaccination.
• Regardless of if PCV15 or PCV20 is given, an additional dose of PPSV23 is not recommended since they already received it.

For adults 65 years or older who have only received PCV13, CDC recommends you:

• Give PPSV23 as previously recommended.* See Pneumococcal Vaccine Timing for Adults for specific guidance. The incremental public health benefits of providing PCV15 or PCV20 to adults who have received PCV13 only or both PCV13 and PPSV23 have not been evaluated.

* For adults who have received PCV13 but have not completed their recommended pneumococcal vaccine series with PPSV23, one dose of PCV20 may be used if PPSV23 is not available. If PCV20 is used, their pneumococcal vaccinations are complete.

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Children At High Risk Of Ipd

Infants at high risk of IPD due to an underlying medical condition should receive Pneu-C-13 vaccine in a 4 dose schedule at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months followed by a dose at 12 to 15 months of age. Table 3 summarizes the recommended schedules for Pneu-C-13 vaccine for infants and children at high risk of IPD due to an underlying medical condition by pneumococcal conjugate vaccination history.

In addition to Pneu-C-13 vaccine, children at high risk of IPD due to an underlying medical condition should receive 1 dose of Pneu-P-23 vaccine at 24 months of age, at least 8 weeks after Pneu-C-13 vaccine. If an older child or adolescent at high risk of IPD due to an underlying medical condition has not previously received Pneu-P-23 vaccine, 1 dose of Pneu-P-23 vaccine should be administered, at least 8 weeks after Pneu-C-13 vaccine. Children and adolescents at highest risk of IPD should receive 1 booster dose of Pneu-P-23 vaccine refer to Booster doses and re-immunization. Refer to Immunocompromised persons for information about immunization of HSCT recipients.

Table 3: Recommended Schedules for Pneu-C-13 Vaccine for Children 2 months to less than 18 years of age, by Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccination History

Children 6 Through 18 Years Old With Certain Medical Conditions

CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for children 6 through 18 years old who have certain medical conditions. The tables below provide detailed information by medical condition. See this table for additional details.

For a child with any of these conditions:

• Cerebrospinal fluid leak
• Cochlear implant

CDC recommends you:

• Give 1 dose of PCV13 if they have not received any doses of PCV13. Administer PCV13 before giving any recommended doses of PPSV23.
• Give 1 dose of PPSV23 at least 8 weeks after PCV13.

For a child with any of these conditions:

• Chronic renal failure or nephrotic syndrome
• Congenital immunodeficiency

CDC recommends you:

• Give 1 dose of PCV13 if they have not received any doses of PCV13. Administer PCV13 before giving any recommended doses of PPSV23.
• Ensure the child receives 2 doses of PPSV23. The first dose of PPSV23 should be given at least 8 weeks after any prior PCV13 dose, then the second dose of PPSV23 should be given at least 5 years after the first dose of PPSV23.

For a child with any of these conditions:

• Chronic heart disease, particularly cyanotic congenital heart disease and cardiac failure
• Chronic lung disease, including asthma if treated with prolonged high-dose oral corticosteroid therapy
• Diabetes mellitus

• Give 1 dose of PPSV23 .

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How Dispatchhealth Is Improving Healthcare

While pneumococcal vaccines can protect at-risk individuals from getting pneumonia and developing extreme complications from other respiratory infections, contraction can still happen. For seniors, in particular, pneumonia can be life threateningespecially in those with chronic conditions (like

COPD and diabetes). Pneumonia can also occur post infection, developing after the flu or COVID-19making it important for at-risk adults to watch for symptoms.

If you do have symptoms, reach out to DispatchHealth for on-demand services that come to you. We provide an urgent healthcare alternative for those with chronic conditions and acute medical concerns, treating a variety of health complications (like flu, pneumonia, and

COVID-19) in the comfort of the home. Our medical teams will come prepared with nearly all the tools and technologies found in a traditional ER setting, but without the disruptive or impersonal medical experience. Whats more, our streamlined service is compatible with most insurancesincluding Medicaid and Medicareand we offer an affordable flat rate for uninsured patients.

This flu season, you can count on DispatchHealth. We can also test for COVID-19 as well as treat and support COVID-19 patients. To request care, simply contact us via phone, mobile app, or through our website.

Does Medicare Cover Vaccines For Older Adults

Medicare Part B covers vaccines that protect against the flu and pneumococcal disease and the hepatitis B vaccine if youre at increased risk for hepatitis B. It also covers vaccines that you might need after an injury or coming into contact with a disease .

Medicare Part D plans generally cover more vaccines than Part B. But depending on your Medicare Part D plan, you may have out-of-pocket costs for these vaccines. Contact Medicare to find out whats covered.

Did you know? There is a high-dose flu vaccine and an adjuvanted flu vaccine, which includes an adjuvant that creates a stronger immune response. Both vaccines are designed to be more effective in older adults. Learn more about flu vaccines for adults age 65 and older .

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The Different Types Of Pneumococcal Vaccine

The type of pneumococcal vaccine you’re given depends on your age and health. There are 2 types.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is used to vaccinate children under 2 years old as part of the NHS vaccination schedule. It’s known by the brand name Prevenar 13.

Children at risk of pneumococcal infections can have the PPV vaccine from the age of 2 years onwards. The PPV vaccine is not very effective in children under the age of 2.

Vaccines To Help Prevent Pneumonia

Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection that spreads from person to person by air. It often causes pneumonia in the lungs and it can affect other parts of the body. Older adults are at higher risk than younger people of getting very sick or dying from pneumococcal disease.

The CDC recommends that all adults age 65 and older get pneumococcal vaccination. This vaccine will help protect you from getting a serious infection, including pneumonia. There are multiple forms of the pneumococcal vaccine: Talk to a health care provider to find out which is best for you. You can also visit the CDCs Pneumococcal Vaccination webpage to learn more about the types of vaccines that are available.

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Who Should Not Get The Vaccine

People should not get the vaccine if they have had a life threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose.

Additionally, a person should not undergo vaccination if they have had an allergic reaction to medication containing diphtheria toxoid or an earlier form of the pneumonia vaccination .

Lastly, people who are sick or have allergic reactions to any of the ingredients of the vaccine should talk to a doctor before getting the shot.

A pneumonia shot will not reduce pneumonia. However, it helps prevent invasive pneumococcal diseases, such as meningitis, endocarditis, empyema, and bacteremia, which is when bacteria enter the bloodstream.

Noninvasive pneumococcal disease includes sinusitis.

There are two types of pneumonia shots available. Which type a person gets depends on their age, whether or not they smoke, and the presence of any underlying medical conditions.

The two types are:

• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine : Healthcare providers recommend this vaccine for young children, people with certain underlying conditions, and some people over the age of 65 years.
• Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine : Healthcare providers recommend this vaccine for anyone over 65 years of age, people with certain underlying conditions, and people who smoke.

According to the

• roughly 8 in 10 babies from invasive pneumococcal disease
• 45 in 100 adults 65 years or older against pneumococcal pneumonia
• 75 in 100 adults 65 years or older against invasive pneumococcal disease

What Are The Side Effects

Vaccines are very safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get pneumococcal disease.

Many people have no side effects from the vaccines. For those that do, side effects are usually mild and last 1 to 2 days . Serious side effects are very rare.

It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine because there is an extremely rare possibility of anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips. The chance of true anaphylaxis is about 1 in 1 million vaccine doses. Should this reaction occur, your health care provider is prepared to treat it. Emergency treatment includes administration of epinephrine and transfer by ambulance to the nearest emergency department. If symptoms develop after you leave the clinic, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. Learn more about anaphylaxis on our vaccine side effects page.

It is important to always report serious or unexpected reactions to your immunizing health care provider.

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Side Effects Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine

Like most vaccines, the childhood and adult versions of the pneumococcal vaccine can sometimes cause mild side effects.

These include:

• redness where the injection was given
• hardness or swelling where the injection was given

There are no serious side effects listed for either the childhood or adult versions of the vaccine, apart from an extremely rare risk of a severe allergic reaction .

Pneumococcal Disease And Older Adults

Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection that causes pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infection, as well as other less severe illnesses.

Pneumococcal pneumonia hospitalizes about 150,000 people in the US each year, killing about 5 percent-7 percent, or between 7,500 and 10,500 of them. The death rate is even higher among adults age 65 years and older and people with underlying health conditions.

Fewer adults get pneumococcal meningitis or bloodstream infection, but the mortality rate for these infections is higher, even with proper treatment. Pneumococcal meningitis kills about 1 in 6 older patients and blood infection kills about 1 in 8 adults who have these diseases.

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How Often Do I Need To Get The Pneumonia Vaccine

The pneumonia vaccine also known as the pneumococcal vaccine offers protection against several strains of bacteria that can cause pneumonia. There are two types of the vaccine, one of which is specifically designed for adults over the age of 65 and anyone particularly high-risk because of a long-term health condition. The other vaccine Prevnar 13 is available in our stores for adults aged 18 and over.*

Most adults getting the pneumonia vaccine will only need to get it once. Others who are high risk may need to get booster jabs every few years.

If youve never had the pneumonia vaccine, and you think you could benefit, you should check to see if youre eligible for it on the NHS. If not, you can book yours with us and have it in your local LloydsPharmacy.

Children Younger Than 2 Years Old

CDC recommends PCV13 for all infants as a series of 4 doses.

• Give 1 dose at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 through 15 months.

Children who miss their shots or start the series later should still get the vaccine. The number of doses recommended and the intervals between doses will depend on the childs age when vaccination begins. See the Childhood/Adolescent Immunization Catch-up Schedule for additional details.

PneumoRecs VaxAdvisor is available for download on iOS and Android mobile devices.

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The Importance Of The Pneumonia Vaccine For Seniors

The warm weather makes it hard to imagine that the winter is on its way, but the cold temperatures are just around the corner! And with those cooler temperatures comes the increased risk of pneumonia, especially for very young children and seniors. Therefore, it is important to get the pneumonia vaccine during this time of the year. Overall, having a winter safety checklist could prevent challenges, especially for our seniors.

How Many Doses Of The Vaccine Do I Need

People aged 65 or over only need a single dose of the vaccine, which will help protect them for life.

People with a long-term health condition will either need a one-off single dose or one dose every 5 years, depending on their underlying health condition.

Some children aged 2 or over with a health condition may need additional doses.

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The Importance Of Receiving The Pneumococcal Vaccine

Fact: Thousands of adults are killed by the pneumococcal disease every year in the United Statesespecially adults 65 or older, individuals with chronic health concerns, and those who are immunocompromised.

Myth: Everyone knows that theres a vaccine available to prevent pneumococcal disease from wreaking havoc in compromised individuals.

There are an exceptional number of adults unaware of the pneumococcal diseases dangers and the pneumococcal vaccines existence and benefits. To remove yourself from this statistic, here are the facts:

Who Might Not Be Able To Get These Vaccines

Because of age or health conditions, some people should not get certain vaccines or should wait before getting them. Read the guidelines below specific to pneumococcal vaccines and ask your or your childs doctor for more information.

• Children younger than 2 years old should not get PPSV23.
• Anyone younger than 19 years old should not get PCV15 or PCV20.

In addition, tell the person who is giving you or your child a pneumococcal vaccine if:

You or your child have had an allergic reaction to an earlier pneumococcal shot or have any severe, life-threatening allergies.

• Do not get a PCV shot if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction after
• Any type of PCV
• Any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid

You or your child are not feeling well.

• People who have a mild illness, such as a cold, can probably get vaccinated. People who have a more serious illness should probably wait until they recover. Your or your childs doctor can advise you.

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