News Release                             For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                       August 6, 2009

Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommended for High-Risk Before Flu Season

Vaccination of all high-risk individuals against pneumococcal disease is being strongly recommended prior to the arrival of seasonal flu and as a result of the threat of a novel influenza strain (H1N1 flu virus). The provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and National Advisory Committee on Immunizations advise that, for high-risk individuals, receiving vaccination against pneumococcus can help reduce the risk of illness and death due complications of influenza.

Pnuemococcal disease is caused by a bacteria called pneumococcus and can cause complications including meningitis, septicemia and pneumonia in persons of all ages. However, individuals with existing medical conditions may be at increased risk.These indivudials include those with:

• Chronic respiratory and/or cardiac disease
• Cirrhosis or alcoholism
• Chronic renal disease or nephrotic syndrome
• Diabetes mellitus
• Asplenia, splenic dysfunction, sickle-cell disease and other sickle-cell haemoglobinopathies
• Chronic cerebrospinal fluid leak
• Primary immune deficiency or other conditions associated with immunosuppression
• HIV infection
• Solid organ transplants
• Coclear implant recipients (pre or post implant)

If you have one of these conditions; are a resident of a nursing home, home for the aged or chronic care facility or ward; or if you are 65 years of age or older, vaccine can be accessed free from your physician’s office or Public Health immunization clinics.

Review your immunization record to see if you have been immunized against pneumococcal disease. Typically, this vaccine is only given once to provide extended protection, however, ask your physician or public health nurse if re-immunization may be recommended if you have:

• Functional or anatomic asplenia or sickle-cell disease
• Hepatic cirrhosis
• Chornic renal failure or nephritic syndrome
• HIV infection
• Immunosuppression related to disease or therapy

Stay healthy and prevent disease this fall in yourself and others. For further information, call Public Health and speak with a nurse in the Vaccine Preventable Disease Program, or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca

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For more information:

Mary Lynn Barron R.N., B.Sc.N.

Public Health Nurse, Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1287