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H1N1 (Swine) Flu Pandemic: Who Should Get the Pneumococcal Vaccine?
In order to prevent secondary bacterial infections that influenza predisposes us to, those who have not been immunized against streptococcal pneumonia should receive the vaccine. This will help decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with these secondary infections. The following table outlines who should get the vaccine and when.
Table 1. U.S. recommendations for use of pneumococcal vaccines30,31.
| |
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
|
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
|
| Universal vaccination |
Persons 65 years and older |
Children <2 years of age |
| |
|
|
|
Medical Indications
|
Persons 2-64 years with
|
Children 24-59 months with
|
| |
- chronic cardiovascular disease (congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathies)
- chronic pulmonary disease including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema but excluding asthma
- diabetes mellitus
- alcoholism
- chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis
- cerebrospinal fluid leaks
- functional or anatomic asplenia including sickle cell disease and splenectomy
- living situations in special environments or social situations including Alaska Natives and certain American Indian populations
- immuno-compromised conditions including HIV infection, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, generalized malignancy, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome; or those receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy (including corticosteroids); and those who have received an organ or bone marrow transplant
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- chronic cardiac disease, particularly cyanotic congenital heart disease and cardiac failure
- chronic pulmonary disease, excluding asthma unless on high dose corticosteroid therapy
- diabetes mellitus
- cerebrospinal fluid leaks
- sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies
- congenital or acquired asplenia or splenic dysfunction
- renal failure and nephrotic syndrome
- immunocompromising conditions, including HIV; congenital B- (humoral) or T-lymphocyte immunodeficiencies; complement (c1, c2, c3, and c4) deficiencies; phagocytic disorders, excluding chronic granulomatous disease
- diseases associated with immuno-suppressive therapy or radiation therapy, including malignant neoplasms, leukemias, lymphomas, Hodgkin’s disease, or solid organ transplantation
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| Consider use of vaccine in: |
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All children 24-59 months with priority given to children aged 24-35 months, children of Alaska Native or American Indian descent, children of African-American descent, and children who attend day care centers |
In order to prevent secondary bacterial infections that influenza predisposes us to, those who have not been immunized against streptococcal pneumonia should receive the vaccine. This will help decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with these secondary infections. The following table outlines who should get the vaccine and when.
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