PNEUMONIA VACCINE: WHO SHOULD GET ONE?

An increasing number of people are getting pneumonia vaccines and Dr. Patrick Downey hopes that will mean a decreasing number getting this contagious disease. The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine being offered at doctors offices and health departments now covers the 23 most common forms of the strain of bacteria that causes pneumonia, said Downey, a primary care physician at Regional Primary Care in Cape Girardeau."These strains are responsible for 30 to 50 percent of all commonly acquired pneumonia," he said.Pneumococcal disease can lead to serious infections of the lungs (pneumonia), the blood (bacteremia) and the covering of the brain (meningitis), according to the Centers for Disease Control.The vaccine has for several years been recommended for those 65 and older and those with chronic health problems or compromised immune systems. Now many physicians, including Downey, are recommending the vaccine for all adult patients.Pneumonia can be life threatening to older adults and those with health problems, Downey said. So it is very important for those populations to be vaccinated, he said.Most younger people who get pneumonia will recover, but they will be miserable for about a week, Downey said. Since the vaccine can prevent this and has few minor and no serious side effects, Downey said he sees no reason most people shouldn't get the vaccine."Everything we can do to prevent illness we should do," Downey reasons. Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, said people are getting the message. The health department offers pneumonia and flu vaccines at its daily immunization clinics, and Craig said the number of people requesting the pneumonia shot this year has more than doubled from last year. The clinic has given more than 500 pneumonia vaccines since the clinics began in October compared with about 200 by this time last year. "A lot of doctors are telling folks to get the pneumonia vaccine," she said. Those under age 65 should get the pneumonia vaccine every five years, according to the CDC. For those over age 65, one dose of the vaccine is all that is needed. People should keep track of when they got the vaccine since the possibility of reaction increases if it has been less than five years since the last vaccine, Craig said. The pneumonia vaccine carries few risks, according to information from the CDC. About half of those who get the vaccine have mild side effects, such as redness or pain where the shot is given. Less than 1 percent develop a fever, muscle aches or more severe local reactions. Severe allergic reactions have been rare. Downey said he has gotten the pneumonia vaccine. "I try to protect myself from any disease I can," he said.

PNEUMONIA SHOTS

The Cape Girardeau County Health Center offers pneumonia vaccinations for $10. There is no out-of-pocket expense for those on Medicare or Medicaid. The pneumonia and flu vaccines are offered at walk-in clinics held at the health center, 1121 Linden St., from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Docotrs' offices also offer the vaccine.