You can lower your chances of getting CAP by having a yearly flu shot. The pneumococcal vaccines protect against S. pneumoniae and may help in preventing CAP. Healthcare providers advise this shot for all people older than 65. You may need it before this time if you have:
- Chronic heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Alcoholism
- HIV
- Weak immune system
Smokers and people living in long-term care facilities should also get this shot before age 65. There are two vaccines against S. pneumoniae. Your healthcare provider may advise that you get both. You may need booster shots of the vaccine if you have your first pneumococcal vaccine before age 65 or if you have a weakened immune system.
2 vaccines:
Two pneumococcal vaccines, both of which are administered as 0.5-mL IM injections, are approved in the U.S.
- The 13-valent polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (PCV13; Prevnar 13) is indicated in children aged 6 weeks through 17 years and adults aged 18 years and older for the prevention of pneumococcal disease caused by 13 S. pneumoniae strains.
- The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23; Pneumovax 23) is indicated in adults aged 50 years and older for prevention of pneumococcal disease caused by 23 of the most common S. pneumoniae strains.
Schedule:
For further information visit https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/preventing-and-treating-communityacquired-pneumonia-a-focus-on-men
or
https://www.mims.com/philippines/drug/info/vaccine,%20pneumococcal?mtype=generic
As published on Phil Star last February 21, 2023, the price range for a pneumonia vaccine is from P3,000 to P4,500.
The good news is, if you’re 60 or older, you can get your pneumonia shots for free at barangay health centers. That’s because pneumococcal vaccination is included in the National Immunization Program (NIP) of the Department of Health (DOH).
