Importance of the Pneumonia Vaccine for the Immunocompromised

It is estimated that influenza epidemics cause between three and five million cases of serious illness each year, and more than 200,000 deaths from respiratory infections worldwide. Multiple studies have shown that vaccination against influenza, the virus that causes the flu, reduces the risk of having a more serious course of the disease, reduces hospitalization and the number of admissions to intensive care units. If you are looking for further information or a vaccine itself, search for the Pneumonia Vaccination in Uxbridge or Pneumonia Vaccination in Heathrow. 

On the other hand, pneumonia is the main infectious cause of mortality globally, especially in children under 5 years of age, people over 65 years of age and people with chronic diseases. This disease is caused mainly by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus) which, when it affects people with chronic diseases, significantly increases their risk of hospitalization. For example, in a patient with a previous chronic disease such as diabetes, liver disease, or immunosuppression, the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia can increase up to 60%.

Older people, especially those living in residences, have been a very vulnerable population in the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly due to the rapid spread of the virus, which was associated with a high number of deaths. Patients older than 80 years who received mechanical ventilation had a mortality of 90%, which shows the vulnerability of this population.

The World Health Organization recommends keeping the flu, pneumococcal and whooping cough vaccination programs active while implementing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures can help reduce the occupancy of the health system and thus have more resources to treat patients with COVID-19.

Flu vaccination is especially important for healthcare professionals as studies show that it reduces symptomatic and asymptomatic infections by approximately 80%. The vaccine becomes, especially this year, an essential strategy to maintain the integrity of the health worker workforce.

The flu vaccine is given during the flu season on an annual basis, while the pneumonia vaccine can be given at any time of the year. The population that is advised to get vaccinated against the flu is people over 65 years of age, immunosuppressed people, people with chronic diseases considered risk factors, health personnel and pregnant women. Regarding pneumonia, the recommendation is aimed especially at adults over 60 years of age and people with risk factors, including immunosuppressed people.