Pneumococcal Infection Is One of the Most Serious Complications Triggered by Flu: Vaccines Can Protect Against it
The flu season has started, hence the risk of pneumococcal infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, sinusitis, and middle ear infection has increased. Therefore, the National Public Health Centre (NPHC) reminds everyone that most of them can be prevented by vaccination. Risk groups are particularly vulnerable as pneumococcal infection can be life-threatening for them.
How is it transmitted?
Pneumococcal infection is transmitted from a sick person or the carrier of bacteria by airborne droplets, when coughing, sneezing, and talking or having a close contact.
"The pathogen spreads through air droplets and when it enters the lower parts of the respiratory tract of a person, it multiplies, as a result of which the inflammation of the mucous membrane in the respiratory system starts. Bacteria can also be detected in the nasopharynx of healthy individuals. Up to 40-60 % of children and 3-4 % of adults are carriers of pneumococci in the nasopharynx," – says Daiva Razmuvienė, head specialist of the Communicable Disease Management Department at NPHC.
Infection can be prevented by vaccine
The specialist points out that the most effective means of protection against pneumococcal infection is undoubtedly vaccination. Other measures should not be forgotten either. Prevention includes maintaining healthy immune system, hand hygiene, and cough and sneeze etiquette.
Pneumococcal infection is widespread among both children and adults. Children under the age of 5 and older people, as well as people with chronic and oncological diseases, are at greater risk of developing a severe form of this disease.
Since the year 2014, the vaccine against pneumococcal infection is included in the Preventive Vaccination Schedule for Children. Children are vaccinated with 3 doses of the vaccine: at 2, 4 and 12-15 months. Children 2-18 years of age who had not been vaccinated against pneumococcal infection, but belong to a risk group, are vaccinated with a single dose of the vaccine.
Adults at-risk are also vaccinated with a single dose of pneumococcal vaccine.
"I also want to remind our fellow citizens that the flu season has already started in the country, and it is also very important to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 (coronavirus infection). One can get vaccinated against pneumococcal infection, influenza, and COVID-19 during one visit to the doctor,’ – says NPHC specialist.
Last updated: 13-10-2023
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