Prevention Of Pneumococcal Infections (cont.)

Who should get Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV)?

Approximately 70 million people who should be receiving PPSV are not yet vaccinated (National Health Interview Survey, 2007).

PPSV is recommended for:

• People who are 65 years of age and older
• People 2 years of age and older who have a chronic illness such as:
• cardiovascular or lung disease
• sickle cell disease
• diabetes
• alcoholism
• chronic liver disease
• cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak
• a cochlear implant
• People 2 years of age and older with a weakened immune system
• Due to illnesses such as:
• HIV infection
• >AIDS
• chronic renal failure
• nephrotic syndrome
• organ or bone marrow transplantation
• Hodgkin's disease
• leukemia
• lymphoma
• multiple myeloma
• generalized malignancy
• Those receiving immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., steroids)
• Those who have had their spleen removed or whose spleen is dysfunctional due to an illness such as sickle cell disease.
• Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities
• People 19 through 64 years of age who smoke cigarettes or have asthma.

During the 2009-2010 influenza season, vaccinating people 2 through 64 years of age who have the above risk conditions is most important because people in this group may be more likely to develop secondary bacterial pneumonia after an influenza infection. Healthy persons less than 65 years of age are not recommended to receive PPSV.

SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control