Influenza And Pneumonia Vaccines Recommended For Elderly

Written by OJ Fagbire

Monday, 23 July 2007

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Although vaccinations and immunizations are usually though of in relation to protecting young children, public attention has recently turned to the idea of immunizing the elderly population against pneumonia and the flu.

Immunization could prove very beneficial to sections of the elderly population that are at high risk for serious complications resulting from these infections, namely those with lung, heart and kidneys conditions as well as those in group homes and who travel internationally.

The terms vaccination and immunization are frequently used interchangeably, however there is a distinct difference in definition. Vaccination is the process of receiving the actual vaccine, usually an injection but also orally or nasally, while immunization includes both getting the vaccine and consequently becoming immune to disease in question as a result of getting the vaccine.

Immunization occurs the some way for everyone vaccinated, once a vaccine is administered, the body begins to respond by creating immunities against the disease, as if the person actually had the disease, but without the individual having to suffer from the symptoms of the illness. Thereafter if the same illness tries to affect the person, the immunities will respond by preventing a full-blown attack of the disease.

Vaccines achieve this immunization process by including one of a variety of components: a tiny amount of virus with decreased potency, a very tiny amount of dead virus or bacteria, a minimal amount of altered toxin made by the bacteria. They can also contain preservatives that may include small amounts of egg; so allergic individuals should be cautioned.

Thousands of elderly individuals battle bouts of influenza of pneumonia yearly, sometimes with deadly results. In fact pneumonia and influenza are listed as the fifth highest cause of death in individuals over 65.

Seniors who have one of the previous chronic conditions should receive annual vaccinations against flu and the single dose vaccine against pneumonia, however the majority of the at-risk population does not regularly get both vaccines.

One trial conducted recently in Malaysia revealed the pneumoccoccal vaccine protected the elderly participants. A separate study, also in Malaysia, showed evidence that the flu vaccine could prove effective in preventing the illness in seniors.

It has also been suggested that regular immunizations for health care and nursing home employees may help prevent the spreading of flu and pneumonia among the patients in these facilities.

Generally, experts agree that all senior citizens should be immunized, research has been mostly secluded to the northern hemisphere where the winter months see a sharp rise in cases of influenza and pneumonia. For these experiments, flu is seen as a leading cause of severe illnesses in seniors.

In areas with warmer climates, like the tropics, influenza cases are seen year-round also a small rise may be found to coincide with the winter season in the north due to travelers carrying the viruses. However since the cases are not as drastically evident, most elderly in these areas feel that immunization unnecessary.

The importance of preventing the flu and pneumonia is related to the rise in death rates among seniors during the peak seasons for these illnesses. Therefore it is considered prudent for seniors to be vaccinated against the flu between two and four weeks before increases in occurrence are expected.

While flu is a great health risk requiring annual vaccinations, it is not the only illness that threatens respiratory problems to senior citizens. Meningitis, a virus that causes swelling of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord, can also pose serious risks for seniors and should also be vaccinated against.

When discussing vaccines and immunization, two terms must be defined briefly. Vaccine efficacy is defined as the percentage of reduction between the occurrences of the illness in vaccinated as opposed to unvaccinated people within a controlled environment, typically a laboratory.

Several studies involving senior citizens revealed a vaccine efficacy of 60% to 67% of flu cases within a laboratory setting.

Effectiveness is another term, and like efficacy, referring to the reduction between immunized and non-immunized people. However effectiveness is used to discuss trials conducted in an uncontrolled, or normal, setting and may incorporate non-influenza cases.

Results compiled from 20 studies revealed a decrease in pneumonia in vaccinated seniors of 50% and a reduction in fatal cases of 67%.

Every nation deals with various health concerns all competing for the same public funds. It is up to the people in positions of power to determine where the money can do the most good. A variety of opinions on the issue of elderly immunization exist, however it should be obvious that high-risk elderly individuals should seriously consider being vaccinated as part of their routine health maintenance.