Immunization Update: Making It Happen

Multiple immunizations are recommended for older adults, as are annual flu vaccines. Specifically, these include two pneumonia vaccines: PPSV23, the 23-valent vaccine containing pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) that protects older adults against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria. PPSV23 is estimated to be approximately 50% effective in preventing pneumonia, and this increases when PCV13 is added. Based on probabilistic modeling, use of PCV13 added to the current PPSV23 prevents an estimated 12,000 cases of community-acquired pneumonia over the lifetime of a single cohort of individuals 65 and older.
Source: Caring for the Ages - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: The Board Room Source Type: news