Doctor's Blog

Pneumonia Vaccine
February, 2009

More people die from pneumococcal infections than from any other vaccine preventable disease. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the organism that causes invasive diseases like bacteremia, pneumonia, and meningitis. The fatality rate for pneumococcal meningitis is 20-35%. The vaccine has been shown to have an efficacy of 54-64%. Side effects of the vaccine include: mild fever, muscle aches, swelling and pain at the injection site.

Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for persons with the following conditions:

• Age > 65
• Chronic cardiovascular disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Chronic liver disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Alcoholism
• Cochlear implants
• Persons that live in nursing home or assisted living facility
• HIV
• Chronic kidney disease
• Persons with cancer or on chemotherapy
• Asplenia
• Organ transplant
• Bone marrow transplant

To schedule an appointment for a pneumonia vaccine, please call our office 703-717-4245.

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