Statewide News Release Contact: Crissy Rowland
November 28, 2006 270-781-8039 ext. 120


Barren River District Health Department Urges Seniors,
Children to Get Vaccinated against Pneumonia
Vaccine to help prevent one of the flu’s potentially deadly complications

The Barren River District Health Department is encouraging residents to receive a pneumococcal vaccination in addition to a seasonal flu shot in order to protect against pneumonia.

“We are strongly encouraging all adults 65 years or older and others in high risk groups such as young children and individuals with special health problems such as heart or lung disease, kidney failure, diabetes, HIV infection, alcoholism or certain types of cancer to ask their health care provider about the pneumoccal vaccine,” said Dennis Chaney, Director of the Barren River District Health Department. “This vaccine is extremely safe, effective, can be taken at any time of the year, and is currently available in an adequate supply.”

Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria and can result in serious pneumonia, meningitis or blood infections. According to the CDC, pneumococcal disease kills more people in the United States each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined. Approximately 40,000 deaths are attributed to pneumonia nationally each year, with more than 90 percent of those deaths occurring in people age 65 and older.

The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) is usually given in one dose, but under some circumstances a second dose may be given. About half of those who receive the vaccine have very mild side effects, such as redness or pain where the shot is given. The vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria and is considered to be a very safe vaccine.

For more information on pneumococcal disease or the availability of PPV, please contact the Warren County Health Department at 270-781-2490 ext. 228 or visit http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/pneumo/.

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