All About The Pneumonia Vaccine~ Who Should Receive One?

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Hello readers,

The fall season provides a beautiful backdrop for Hamptonites who love to take advantage of everything the East End has to offer at this time. Whether it’s a hike at Mashomack preserve on Shelter Island, cooking farm-to-table dinners at home, or taking a ride to the North Fork,  fall may be my favorite season. On a less desirable note, this is also the time where I begin to diagnose more patients with Pneumonia, which needs to be taken very seriously.  There is a vaccine for pneumonia called PNEUMOVAX 23 which we offer at Southampton Urgent Medical Care. Below I have shared some helpful facts and important information that you need to know about Pneumococcal infection:
Be well,
Dr. Kot

 

PNEUMOVAX 23 is a mixture of highly purified capsular polysaccharides from the 23 most prevalent or invasive pneumococcal types of Streptococcus Pneumonia.

Pneumococcal infection is a leading cause of death worldwide and a major cause of pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, and otitis media. Pneumoccal infection causes approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the United States, and at least 500,000 cases of pneumoccal pneumonia occur annually, with 25-35% of community acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization.

Invasive pneumococcal disease [e.g.bacteremia or meningitis] and pneumonia can cause high morbidity and mortality despite antibiotics. The vaccination offers an effective means of reducing the morbidity and mortality of this disease.

WHO IS AT RISK FACTOR for pneumococcal infection?

1. Very young,  and 65 years of age or older.

2. Patients with chronic medical conditions: cardiovascular disease, COPD or emphysema, cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism or asthma

3.  Immuno-compromised patients: HIV, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s disease, any malignancy, organ or bone marrow transplantation, chronic renal failure, systemic steroids.

4. Patients with functional or anatomic asplenia, e.g. sickle cell disease or splenectomy.

 

**PNEUMOVAX 23 protective efficacy rates vary in several studies from 56-92%. The duration of immunity lasts for 5-10 years. The most common adverse reactions include local reactions at the injection site including soreness, erythema, warmth, swelling and induration.

 

*If you would like to receive the pneumonia vaccine, or need urgent care, visit Dr. Kot at:

Southampton Urgent Medical Care (SUMC)
609 Hampton Road
Southampton, NY
631.204.9600 phone