General Medical issues thread

[TheRealTMA]

Checking my online immunisation records today (no Covid vax since May 22 - no longer a believer) I notice a heading 'Next NIP immunisation due' on my recent birth date. Under is listed 'Pneumococcal vaccines'. Any medicos care to comment about exactly what this is for and how it might differ to the influenza vax. Something us old farts need to consider?

This should explain - Fact sheets - Pneumococcal disease fact sheet

 

[Quickstatus]

'Pneumococcal

is not the same as

influenza

- its a different germ -Streptococcus pneumoniae)

old farts

There appears to be an increase in invasive pneumococcal disease. It causes pneumonia, meningitis, blood sepsis especially in "old farts" and the very young.
See this fact sheet. Immunsation have reduced Invasive pneumococcal disease, however there has been a surge in the last year or so of invasive pneumococcal possibly from evolving strains, antibiotics resistance, vaccination fatique.

Old farts should get it

 

[drron]

The pneumococcus is a Bacteria. Causes pneumonia. Yes you should have it.
Influenza is a viral infection and you should also have that.
Both are more common and serious if elderly or immunocompromised.