Originally published in Hideaway Lake News on Oct 2, 2020
Don’t Be Trapped by the Treacherous Trio This Winter – Covid-19, Flu and Pneumonia
The entire world is focused on the coronavirus. We are waiting with bated breath for an effective vaccine as more than a 100 companies race to be the first. Let us however not be distracted from other killers such as the flu and pneumonia for which we already have vaccines. Last year only 45% of Americans got the flu shot. The pneumonia vaccine uptake among Americans 65 and older is somewhat better, at about 64%, but still nowhere near where it could be.
We know that people who get the flu are at a higher risk of getting bacterial pneumonia. It is not certain if such a risk is present with COVID-19, but it is certain that people who have co-infections with bacteria and COVID-19 are at a higher risk of death. Simultaneous infections with flu and COVID-19 are also likely to lead to more severe disease, especially in the elderly and other high risk populations. We will learn a lot more this winter, but until then, let’s protect ourselves from infections that we do know about and that we do have vaccines for.
If you are 65 years or older, make sure you talk to your doctor about vaccines for bacterial pneumonia. Some younger high risk patients such as those with chronic diseases or those who have a weakened immune system may also be eligible. So if you fall into one of those categories, check with your doctor too. There are two types of pneumonia vaccines and your doctor will recommend one or both based on your age and medical history. These vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe invasive disease. Most adults over 65 will need just one dose of the pneumonia vaccine.
The flu vaccine of course needs to be taken yearly to accommodate new strains of the virus. Some years, the vaccine is a good match, but other years, it may not be so. Studies have shown that even in the years when the flu shot is not highly effective, it can protect you from severe disease and hospitalization. The CDC recommends the flu shot for everyone 6 months and older. Make sure and get your shot in October to be prepared for the peak season starting in December. It will be interesting to see how this flu season is changed by all of us social distancing, wearing masks when social distancing is not possible, washing hands and disinfecting surfaces. Such measures, while helping reduce the spread of coronavirus, should also help reduce the spread of flu and bacterial pneumonia.
Currently there are 33 COVID-19 vaccines in human trials worldwide, with an additional 88 being tested in animals. For a vaccine to be considered effective, it needs to protect at least 50% of people, according to the FDA. In the most optimistic scenario, the vaccine will prevent infection in almost all and not just severe disease, thus preventing spread via asymptomatic people. Early data from Moderna’s Phase 3 vaccine trial have shown promising results in older individuals, which is very encouraging since they are at the highest risk of severe disease, complications and death from COVID-19. Here’s to continued good news in this area!
Best of health to us all!