Preparing for cold weather

James D. Lomax, MD
Posted 8/21/12

Now that October is over and we are moving into the colder time of year, this is a good time to think about how to stay healthy during the winter months. It’s important to know about this year’s …

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Preparing for cold weather

Posted

Now that October is over and we are moving into the colder time of year, this is a good time to think about how to stay healthy during the winter months. It’s important to know about this year’s flu and pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine recommendations and ways we can prevent the spread of viral infections at home and at work.

What is the benefit of getting a flu shot if you are healthy or perhaps have never had the flu?

Influenza is a serious viral infection that is a major contributor to hospitalizations and even deaths in the elderly and persons of any age with chronic diseases. You may be in good health, but this infection can make you very ill.

The goal of the annual flu vaccine is to protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming flu season, which lasts from October to May. Traditional flu vaccines (called “trivalent” vaccines) are formulated against three flu viruses; an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. There are also flu vaccines made to protect against four flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines). Also available is a trivalent flu vaccine that is egg free.

Other forms of vaccine now available include an injectable quadrivalent shot, which is injected into the skin instead of the muscle and uses a much smaller needle than the regular flu shot. It is approved for people 18 through 64 years of age, along with a nasal spray approved for people two to 49 years of age. Your physician will determine what type of vaccine is appropriate for you.

Who should get a flu shot?

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends that children six months old, adolescents and all adults receive an annual vaccination. With various forms of vaccines now available, there are now very few excuses for not getting a flu shot, including pregnancy. There is now a push by health care agencies and organizations to recommend universal vaccination.

Flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including doctors’ offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers.

Pneumococcal vaccinations

The CDC states that pneumococcal disease is a serious health threat that can lead to death. Many strains of Streptococcus pneumonia are resistant to antibiotics. Infection with the bacteria is a leading cause of serious illness in adults and children worldwide. In the U.S. alone, more people die from pneumococcal disease each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined.

The pneumococcal vaccine prevents serious blood, brain and lung infections from the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, including pneumonia, meningitis and septicemia (blood infection). There are two different types of pneumococcal vaccine.

One form that protects adults against 23 strains of Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria is called pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), and it is marketed under the brand name Pneumovax. The other is pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV13 (brand name Prevnar 13), which is routinely given to infants and toddlers, but was approved by the FDA in 2011 for use in adults ages 50 and older.

Pneumovax or Prevnar can be given at any time of the year. Adults ages 19 to 64 with certain medical conditions (kidney diseases, cigarette smoking, asthma, chronic heart or lung diseases, absent spleen (asplenia), and conditions that cause weakening of the immune system, like HIV) should receive one or two doses of Pneumovax five years apart.

Prevnar is recommended for adults ages 19 and older with asplenia, sickle cell disease, cochlear implants, or conditions that cause weakening of the immune system. Additionally, adults ages 65 and older should get both vaccines (a new recommendation). Again, your personal doctor will discuss your need for this vaccine and its scheduling.

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