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Div. of Media Relations
1600 Clifton Road
MS D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3286
Fax (404) 639-7394 |
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June 22, 2000
Contact: CDC, Division of Media Relations
(404) 639-3286
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Flu Season 2000-01 |
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PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE |
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- Streptococcus pneumiae is a bacteria that causes
pneumococcal disease in adults and children worldwide. Each year in
the United States, pneumococcal diseases account for approximately
50,000 cases of bloodstream infection (bacteremia), 3,000 cases of
meningitis, 100,000 to 175,000 hospitalizations from pneumonia, and 7
million cases of otitis media (ear infections).
- Pneumococcal pneumonia begins with a high fever, cough, and
stabbing chest pains, and is one of the most common causes of death in
the United States.
- Pneumococcal pneumonia accounts for 25%-35% of all pneumonias
leading to hospitalization; resulting in 7,000 to 13,000 deaths per
year in the United States.
- Between 20,000 and 40,000 deaths are attributed to flu and
pneumonia in the United States each year. More than 90 percent of the
deaths occur in people age 65 and older. Among elderly nursing home
residents, pneumococcal vaccination is 60 to 70 percent effective in
preventing invasive (bacterial) infection.
- Pneumococcal vaccine is 60% to 70% effective in preventing
bacteremic pneumococcal infections in adults and children at least 2
years of age. Pneumococcal vaccine can be given at the same time as a
flu shot (by separate injection in the other arm). Flu shots must be
taken annually, while pneumococcal revaccination varies depending upon
the person’s age and other factors.
- Who should receive pneumococcal vaccine?
- Persons 65 years old or older. Revaccination is not recommended.
- Persons 2-64 years of age with chronic cardiovascular disease
(including congestive heart failure), chronic pulmonary disease
(e.g., emphysema), or diabetes. Asthma is not an indication for
routine pneumococcal vaccination unless it occurs with chronic
bronchitis, emphysema, or long-term systemic corticosteroid use.
However, persons with obstructive lung disease should be vaccinated
regardless of the cause. If a person received their first
pneumococcal shot prior to age 65 years, they should be revaccinated
at age 65, if >5 years have elapsed since the previous dose.
- Persons 2-64 years of age suffering from alcoholism, chronic
liver disease (including cirrhosis), or cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
If a person received their first pneumococcal shot prior to age 65
years, they should be revaccinated at age 65, if >5 years have
elapsed since the previous dose.
- Persons 2-64 years of age with sickle cell disease or
splenectomy (damaged or no spleen). If the person is >10 years of
age, they should be revaccinated if >5 years have elapsed. If the
person is <10 years of age, they should be revaccinated 3 years
later.
- Immunocompromised persons >2 years of age, including those with
HIV infection, Hodgkin's disease; multiple myeloma; cancer treatment
with x-rays or drugs; treatment with long-term steroids; bone marrow
or organ transplant; kidney failure; HIV/AIDS; lymphoma, leukemia,
or other cancers; and nephrotic syndrome. Revaccinate children if
>5 years have elapsed since they got their first dose. If the
child is <10 years of age, consider revaccination 3 years
after previous dose.
- Persons who are Alaskan Native or from certain Native American
populations.
- Children <2 years old should receive the recently licensed
pneumococcal vaccine, Prevnar®. Older children (24 to 59 months
old), who are at high risk for infection (including those with
sickle cell anemia, HIV infection, chronic lung or heart disease),
and those who are Alaskan Natives, American Indians, or African
American should also receive Prevnar®. This vaccine should also be
considered for children 24 to 59 months old who are in group day
care, those who have had frequent or complicated episodes of acute
otitis media (ear infections) during the past year, or children who
are socially or economically disadvantaged. The number and timing of
doses depends on the age at which vaccination starts. Most children
who are >2 years of age only need one dose of the vaccine.
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Flu Season 2000-01: See also...
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