Pneumovax is a vaccine used to protect against serious infections like a sinus infection, ear infection, pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infection. Considering the health challenges that affect people as they age, it is increasingly important to vaccinate adults against common infections. Vaccination is the most effective intervention towards the prevention of certain diseases across the world. Life expectancy is increasing, just as the global population age. The number of people over 60 years of age is also increasing, and prediction is that the figures may double by the time 2050 reaches. Additionally, the seriousness and the severity of many infections grow with age, which puts older people at risk compared to younger people. As a result, this paper focuses on the use of Pneumovax on a population of 50 to 80 years.
About 40 million Americans are over 65 years today, and the growing portion of this population is over 80 years. With the age-related decline in the levels of immunity becoming a reality, the Pneumovax vaccine administration is important. Through medical research, practitioners now understand age-related factors into the immune system that may predispose older people to certain diseases. Example of diseases this vaccination targets includes Herpes Zoster, an example of diseases that affect older people as a result of age-related decline in immunity. Another condition the vaccine focuses on is pneumonia.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
According to Jackson and Janoff (2008), non-bacterium pneumonia is the primary reason for mortality and morbidity related to pneumococcal diseases. Among older adults, pneumococcal bacteria are closely linked to pneumonia. However, only 9% -16% of cases of the bacteria is linked to documented pneumonia. From these observations, the importance of the administration of Pneumovax is evident. It is one way of saving the cost that would otherwise be incurred by people getting age-related ailments that could be prevented through vaccination.
Proper administration of vaccines is important to ensure maximum effectiveness, especially when dealing with a vulnerable population. As directed by the Centre for Disease Control, one can administer either pneumococcal vaccine or influence vaccination at the same time. It should be done with different syringes and at different injection sites if doing so is possible. The vaccination should be annual to protect the elderly from flus. Moreover, flu predisposes people to pneumococcal disease. As a result, getting a flu vaccine is important in preventing pneumococcal infections. Studies have shown that simultaneous administration of PC13 and TIV results in improved immune response to certain pneumococcal serotypes and single influenza subtypes compared to older adults who receive TIV or PCT 13 alone (Gilchrist, Nanni & Levine, 2012). As a result, it is recommended that the two should be administered concomitantly to individuals.
It is important to adequately inform the targeted population of the side effects of the administration of Pneumovax. An individual should expect to experience injection site reactions such as soreness, hard lumps, swellings, or redness. Sometimes, others can experience fever, chills, headaches, and stiffness on the leg or arm which the injection was administered. One 0.5ml Pneumovax dose can be administered through injection in the subcutaneous layer or intramuscularly by a nurse or a physician. According to Rendo et al. (2020), the vaccine can also react with steroids and certain procedures for cancer treatments such as chemotherapy.
In summary, Pneumovax is an important vaccine to protect the aging population. The cost of healthcare is increasing, especially in the USA, and the economic burden of the elderly is also soaring. As people age, they become vulnerable to certain infections because of the reduction in their immunity levels. Targeting a population of 50 years and above is important because of their declining immunity.
References
Gilchrist, S. A., Nanni, A., & Levine, O. (2012). Benefits and effectiveness of administering pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine with seasonal influenza vaccine: an approach for policymakers. American Journal of Public Health , 102 (4), 596–605. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300512
Jackson, L. A., & Janoff, E. N. (2008). Pneumococcal vaccination of elderly adults: new paradigms for protection. Clinical infectious diseases: an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America , 47 (10), 1328–1338. https://doi.org/10.1086/592691
Rendo, M., Sgrignoli, R., & Cruz, W. D. (2020). EPR20-073: The Effects of Chemotherapy on the Efficacy of Pneumococcal Vaccination Using Pneumococcal Vaccine Antibody Titers as Correlate. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network , 18 (3.5), EPR20-073.
