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Protect Yourself Against Pneumonia
Pneumonia, an infection or inflammation of the lungs,
is a serious illness that kills thousands of older people
in the United States each year. Individuals can help
to protect themselves from this illness by receiving
a pneumonia vaccination.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends
the pneumonia vaccine for people:
- age 65 and older
- ages 2 to 64 when they are at increased risk due
to a chronic illness, especially heart or lung disease
or diabetes
- ages 2 to 64 who have weakened immune systems, which
can be caused by certain kidney diseases and cancers,
organ transplant medicines and other diseases
The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends
that the pneumonia vaccine be given to children under
the age of 2.
The pneumonia vaccine is safe and one shot generally
lasts most people up to 10 years. However, some healthcare
professionals recommend that people over the age of
65 have the vaccine every five years. Individuals with
one or more chronic medical problems should also have
the vaccine every five to six years.
Pneumonia is a common complication of influenza, so
it's important for individuals who are at risk of developing
pneumonia to have a flu shot every fall.
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