Preventing Shingles and Pneumonia: Expert Insights and Vaccination Recommendations for Adults Over 50

2023-07-16 07:08:59

[헬스코리아뉴스 / 임해리] As you get older, your immune system weakens and you get a lot of sore spots here and there. Vaccination is necessary for prevention. Vaccinations are recommended for each age group. This is because the frequency and severity of the disease varies with age. Experts say, “For a healthy old age, it is important to prevent infectious diseases through vaccination from the age of 50.” Among the representative vaccinations recommended for adults over the age of 50, ‘herpes zoster and pneumonia vaccination’ was discussed by Professor Park Jeong-ha of the Department of Family Medicine at Kyung Hee University Hospital.

Professor Park Jeong-ha of the Department of Family Medicine at Kyung Hee University Hospital explains shingles and pneumonia vaccinations.

shingles vaccine

Shingles is a disease caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which was dormant in sensory ganglia. It can happen if you have had chickenpox or shingles in the past. A unilateral rash along the ganglion, blisters, and severe pain are characteristic symptoms. Since the incidence increases with age, shingles vaccination is recommended for adults over the age of 50.

Vaccination against shingles has the effect of reducing the incidence of shingles, and reducing the incidence of symptoms or neuralgia, which is a sequela of shingles, even if you are infected. There are two types of shingles vaccination: a live vaccine that is administered once and a killed vaccine (genetic recombination) that is administered twice a month at an interval of two months.

Professor Park Jeong-ha said, “Because live vaccines literally use live viruses, you need to be careful as shingles can occur if you get vaccinated when your immunity is low.” recommends 6 months to 1 year after the acute symptoms of shingles have passed.”

Pneumococcal vaccination

Pneumonia is a disease in which the lungs become inflamed due to various causes such as bacteria and viruses. Pneumococci are a common cause of pneumonia and can be transmitted through respiratory droplets (droplets). The incidence of pneumonia increases if you are old, have an underlying disease such as diabetes or dysphagia, or have a weakened immune system. Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for the elderly, who may be particularly lethal in case of pneumococcal infection.

There are two types of pneumococcal vaccination: protein conjugate vaccine (10-valent: Synflorix, 13-valent: Prevenar) and polysaccharide vaccine (23-valent: Prodiax). Numbers indicate how many of the various pneumococcal subtypes are protected against.

Professor Park said, “The 10-valent protein conjugate vaccine is not used for adults, so adults over the age of 50 must receive the 13-valent protein conjugate vaccine and the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine.” It seems to prevent subtypes, but each has a different way to show its ability to prevent pneumonia, so it is better to get both vaccines than to distinguish which one is better.”

A single dose of the 13-valent protein conjugate vaccine is sufficient. The 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine should be given twice at 5-year intervals if immunity is normal, and up to three times if there is no spleen or severely weakened immunity.

Professor Park said, “If you have already been vaccinated against pneumococcal bacteria but want to get another type of pneumococcal vaccine, you need to inoculate after a certain interval.” If the polysaccharide vaccine was vaccinated and the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine was vaccinated first, it is better to inoculate the 13-valent protein conjugate vaccine after at least one year has passed.”

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