Here's a little information I gathered from Medicinenet.com
Who should consider pneumococcal vaccination?
Pneumococcal vaccination should be considered by people in the following groups:
•Adults 65 years of age and older.
•Persons > 2 years of age with chronic heart or lung disorders including congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease, alcoholism, spinal fluid leaks, cardiomyopathy, chronic bronchitis or emphysema (COPD) or emphysema.
•Persons > 2 years of age with spleen dysfunction (such as sickle cell disease) or lack of spleen function (asplenia), blood malignancy (leukemias), multiple myeloma, kidney failure, organ transplantation or immunosuppressive conditions, including HIV infection.
•Alaskan natives and certain American Indian populations.
•If elective surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy) or immunosuppressive therapy is planned, the vaccine is given two weeks prior to the procedure, if possible.
In your case, it is really up to you-- the only people that should not get the pneumonia vaccine are children with certain conditions, pregnant women, and those with hypersensitivity to the vaccine.
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Dear Anon,
Here's a little information I gathered from Medicinenet.com
Who should consider pneumococcal vaccination?
Pneumococcal vaccination should be considered by people in the following groups:
•Adults 65 years of age and older.
•Persons > 2 years of age with chronic heart or lung disorders including congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease, alcoholism, spinal fluid leaks, cardiomyopathy, chronic bronchitis or emphysema (COPD) or emphysema.
•Persons > 2 years of age with spleen dysfunction (such as sickle cell disease) or lack of spleen function (asplenia), blood malignancy (leukemias), multiple myeloma, kidney failure, organ transplantation or immunosuppressive conditions, including HIV infection.
•Alaskan natives and certain American Indian populations.
•If elective surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy) or immunosuppressive therapy is planned, the vaccine is given two weeks prior to the procedure, if possible.
In your case, it is really up to you-- the only people that should not get the pneumonia vaccine are children with certain conditions, pregnant women, and those with hypersensitivity to the vaccine.
Hope this helps you make an informed decision,
Rosa
March 18, 2011 - 5:54amThis Comment
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