Vaccines are an important tool in preventing pneumonia

he pneumococci It is a bacterium that can cause a variety of diseases in humans.These conditions range from mild infections, such as ear infections, to more serious illnesses, such as pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis (blood infection).especially Children under two years old and the elderly are more susceptible to this disease.

According to INEGI data, Mexico reported 20,956 deaths from influenza and pneumonia in 2021, of which pneumonia accounted for 99.8%, equivalent to 20,916 deaths, making it the fifth leading cause of death in the country that year.Currently, data from the National Center on Vaccination and Respiratory Diseases shows that one in six people elderly Death from pneumococcus.

This bacterium is the most common pathogen pneumonia Although the disease is preventable through vaccination, it spreads from person to person and has a very high mortality rate, posing a public health challenge worldwide, especially in Latin America.

Some symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are:

● Fever and chills

● Cough

● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

● Chest pain

However, this may vary elderly and pneumococcal pneumonia Those people may not experience the symptoms listed above, but may show confusion or low alertness.

this pneumonia Pneumococcal disease can cause complications, such as:

● Infection of the space between the membranes surrounding the lungs and the chest cavity (empyema).

● Inflammation of the sacs around the heart (pericarditis).

● Airway obstruction prevents air from entering the lungs (endobronchial obstruction), leading to lung collapse (atelectasis) and accumulation of pus in the lungs (abscess).

The elderly are often recognized for their wealth of experience, wisdom, and contributions to society; however, greater attention to health is required as they are more susceptible to illnesses caused by: pneumococci.Vaccination is very important at this stage as it helps prevent serious diseases, e.g. pneumonia and tetanus. Staying up to date with vaccinations is especially important for older adults as it strengthens the immune system and helps lead a healthier, complication-free life.

According to the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), the vaccination plan elderly It has three vaccines, including pneumococcal polysaccharide, and it is worth mentioning that pneumococcal vaccines are available in the public sector across the country.

According to the 2022 Ensanut (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), vaccine The pneumococcal vaccination rate for adults aged 60 years or older was 24.4%, with the Pacific North region having the smallest number of vaccinations at 17.1%; on the other hand, the Peninsula region had an immunization rate of 21.2%, and the North Central region had the lowest vaccination rate. The rate is 22.78%.

Health experts recommend visiting vaccinealdia.mx to learn more about vaccines and why they are the most effective measure against most infectious diseases in all ages; always follow the advice of your family doctor.

Regarding vaccination schedule, please consult your doctor beforehand. Authorization message from Pfizer PP-PRV-MEX-0347