Pneumococcol, Influenza Vaccines Can Reduce Risk Of Pneumonia
Pneumococcol, Influenza Vaccines Can Reduce Risk Of Pneumonia
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) — Vaccination with the pneumococcal 23-valent vaccine and influenza vaccine can reduce the risk of complications from pneumonia by 69 per cent for Influenza A(H1N1) patients.
Prof Datin Dr Che Ilina Che Ishak, a member of the Asia-Pacific Advisory Committee on Influenza, said both vaccines could reduce the death rate by 81 per cent among children aged two years and the elderly up to age 65.
“Taking the two vaccines can strengthen the body resistance to 69 per cent compared with 27 per cent by taking only the pneumococcal vaccine and 52 per cent by taking the influenza vaccine only when warded in hospital,” she told reporters after a dialogue with her on the pneumococcal vaccine, here, Tuesday.
She said high-risk groups like those suffering from cardiovascular and lung diseases, asthma and diabetes, as well as liquor drinkers and those with poor immunity were encouraged to be administered with the two vaccines.
Dr Che Ilina said currently in Malaysia, only those going for the Haj pilgrimage or undergoing spinal surgery were vaccinated with the two vaccines, compared with the United States where 30 per cent of the population received the vaccines.
“However, pregnant women are advised to consult the doctor before getting the pneumococcal vaccine jab,” she said, adding that the Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine was a suitable anti-viral medicine for this group.
She said the suggested retail price for the pneumococcal vaccine was around RM85 and for the influenza vaccine at RM35 per jab.
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Posted by Siam Daily News
on Nov 25 2009. Filed under Asia.
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