Adult Respiratory Vaccines
Q: What respiratory vaccines are recommended for adults?
A: It is recommended that all adults should receive routine vaccinations to protect against serious diseases. Recommended respiratory vaccines include the flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine.Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is also recommended in selected individuals.
Q: Who should get the flu vaccine?
A: Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all adults (>18 years), and especially for those who are at high risk of developing complications.
Q: Who should get the pneumococcal vaccine?
A: Pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for adults aged 65 years or older, as well as younger adults with certain risk conditions.
Q: Who are the 'at risk', or 'high risk' individuals?
A: 'At risk', or 'high risk' individuals include those who have chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), post-Tuberculosis damaged lungs, bronchiectasis, and those who have habits of tobacco smoking and regular alcohol intake. Individuals with chronic kidney disease, chronic heart conditions, liver failure, morbid obesity, immunocompromised, persons living with HIV-AIDS, patients planned for organ transplantations are also at risk, and need to take vaccines as per recommendations.
Q: What type of pneumococcal vaccine should adults receive if they have never received one before?
A: Adults who have never received a pneumococcal vaccine should receive PCV13, if they are aged 65 years or older, or aged 19 through 64 years old with certain risk conditions. If PCV13 is used, it should be followed by a dose of PPSV23. Generally, a single dose is sufficient, and it needs to be repeated only in selected patients.
Q: Can the flu and pneumococcal vaccines be administered during the same visit?
A: Yes, it is recommended that adults receive the pneumococcal vaccine during the same visit as the flu vaccine. Both vaccines can be administered with separate syringes and at different injection sites.
Q: What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?
A: Side effects of the flu vaccine are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days. Common side effects from the flu shot include soreness, redness, and/or swelling from the shot, headache, fever, and nausea.
Q: What are the side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine?
A: Side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine may include pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, headache, muscle ache and malaise, and typically resolve within 1 to 3 days.
Sources and further reading:
1. Dhar R, Ghoshal AG, Guleria R, Sharma S, Kulkarni T, Swarnakar R, et al. Clinical practice guidelines 2019: Indian consensus-based recommendations on influenza vaccination in adults. Lung India. 2020 Aug;37(Suppl 1):S4.
2. Dhar R, Ghoshal AG, Guleria R, Sharma S, Kulkarni T, Swarnakar R, et al. Clinical practice guidelines 2019: Indian consensus-based recommendations on pneumococcal vaccination for adults. Lung India. 2020 Aug;37(Suppl 1):S19.
Comments
Post a Comment