The Immunization Action Coalition of Washington (IACW), in collaboration with Qualis Health and with the assistance of its other active members, is launching an awareness campaign to draw attention to the importance of adult immunizations against pneumococcal disease. This is a common disease that is often fatal at the extremes of life: in children under two and in the elderly. Children routinely receive the new "pneumonia shot", Prevnar, along with their other recommended childhood immunizations. Prevnar is the conjugated pneumococcal vaccine designed specifically for children.
However the equally at high-risk over-65 population is not reliably receiving their one-time PPV immunization against pneumococcal disease, which kills more than 36,000 per year in the USA. In Washington State, only 65% of eligible seniors have received it. The PPV, while not preventing pneumonia itself, does prevent the serious and fatal aspects of pneumococcal disease, the blood-stream and central nervous system infections, and can save half of the fatalities otherwise expected from this ancient disease. This immunization is increasingly important in view of the rapidly developing antibiotic resistance this germ is experiencing, with more than 35% being resistant to multiple drugs in some areas.
If you had a treatment which would prevent over 18,000 deaths per year, wouldn't you use it? Now you can, by giving the PPV to all of your eligible patients!
The IACW awareness campaign includes laminated PPV pocket cards and posters for providers and caregivers, and a small PPV sticker to be placed on the Medicare Card or health insurance card, to document that this one-time shot has been received (this date can be hard for any of us to remember!).
These materials can be downloaded or to order copies, please contact Ginny Heller at ginnyh@withinreachwa.org.