Pneumonia shot can help

Pneumonia has been identified as an important complication in severe and fatal cases of Pandemic H1N1 influenza virus infections. That’s no surprise to medical professionals, since secondary bacterial pneumonia was a frequent cause of illness and death in past influenza pandemics. “During the 2009- 2010 influenza season, pneumococcal vaccines can be useful in preventing secondary pneumococcal infections and reducing illness and death among those infected with influenza viruses,” Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant pointed out.

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 70 million Americans who could take advantage of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) are unvaccinated. “CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends a single dose of PPSV for all people 65 years of age and older and for persons 2 through 64 years of age with certain high-risk conditions,” Grant said. “Most people in these groups are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease as well as serious complications from influenza infections.” Grant noted that some patients hospitalized in Southwest Health District with H1N1 have developed pneumonia. “This is a serious concern not just nationally, but here in Southwest Georgia,” she said. “These H1N1 patients are in Intensive Care Units and may be on ventilators as a result of secondary pneumonia infections.”

High-risk conditions include:

• Chronic cardiovascular disease such as congestive heart failure

• Chronic pulmonary disease such as emphysema

• Diabetes

• Alcoholism

• Chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis

• Cerebrospinal fluid leaks

• Cochlear implant

• Compromised immune systems

- from organ transplants - from diseases such as leukemia and HIV

- from chemotherapy

“Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities are also at increased risk,” said Grant. “So are adults 19 through 64 who smoke or have asthma.”

Meanwhile, she said, all county health departments have limited supplies of nasal spray H1N1 vaccine. H1N1 vaccine is being administered to priority groups most at risk of developing severe illness from the flu.

State officials said this week that H1N1 in flu shot form has been ordered for Public Health and shipments could begin arriving at Southwest Health District within a week.

“Eventually, there will be plenty of H1N1 vaccine for everyone who wants it. For now, we continue to ask the public to be patient,” said Grant. “Seasonal flu vaccine is also temporarily in short supply because vaccine manufacturers switched production to H1N1 vaccine, but once they have met their commitments for H1N1, they will return to production of seasonal flu. No corners are being cut in the production of these vaccines.”