Adult vaccine vs pneumococcal disease may save lives

Aging is one of life’s inevitable stages, and most, if not all, try to delay it. There has been a surge of aesthetic medicines and procedures in recent years as people have paid more attention to wellness, and even dietary supplements that promote youth and vigor are now actively promoted.

 

Along with the quest for the fountain of youth is the quest for prevention and treatment of common infections and illnesses that affect one’s quality of life. One such illness is the pneumococcal disease.

 

Pneumococcal disease refers to a group of infections caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), said biopharmaceutical company Pfizer in a statement. 

 

The bacteria enter the blood and other sterile sites of the body. It may also remain in the respiratory tract, causing pneumonia. 

 

Pneumococcal disease can affect people of any age. However, infants, young children, and older adults have a higher risk of contracting the disease.

 

In the Philippines, pneumonia is the second cause of morbidity, responsible for an average of 871.8 deaths per 100,000 Filipinos. This is according to Dr. Rontgene M. Solante, president of the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID). In fact, pneumonia alone is the second greatest health killer in the country and 88% occur in patients aged 50 years old and above.

 

Dr. Alberto Ramirez of the University of Louisville, who specializes on infectious diseases, said “As people age, the functionality of their immune system starts to decline. Due to this, people face increasing risk of infection as they get older. Higher mortality rates were associated with older age.”

 

There is thus a need for vigilance against such diseases.

 

Understanding is the first step

 

According to Solante, understanding is the first step when it comes to fighting a disease.

 

“We highly encourage individuals, especially those 50 years old and above, to visit their doctors and learn and understand more about pneumococcal disease,” Solante said at a press conference Monday. “Once individuals understand the disease, they will also learn that pneumonia is actually a vaccine-preventable disease.”

 

Vaccination among adults is not common; it’s usually infants and children who avail of vaccination against diseases.

 

Although antibiotics may be used to treat pneumococcal disease, some people develop a resistance to it, causing treatment to get longer and thus driving up the cost of medical care.

Vaccination, on the other hand, is quick, effective and efficient. Following the introduction of its pneumococcal vaccine for children aged 2-5 years old in 2010 in the country, Pfizer recently introduced its pneumococcal vaccine for adults aged 50 and above. 

 

Solante urged families to get pneumococcal vaccination since anyone may contract pneumonia. 

 

“Filipinos are very close to their families so we encourage everyone to make vaccination, especially against pneumonia, a family initiative,” he said. –KG, GMA News