Winter vaccines: Flu and pneumococcal
Keywords:
winter vaccines, flu, pneumococcal
Abstract
Winter will soon be upon us with the usual influx of patients presenting with colds and influenza (the “flu”). An annual flu vaccine remains the best defence against contracting flu. Secondary bacterial pneumonia is an important complication associated with influenza, and Streptococcus pneumonia is a leading cause of secondary bacterial pneumonia. Infants are routinely vaccinated against S. pneumonia as part of the World Health Organization’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). However, a pneumococcal vaccine is also indicated in certain high-risk individuals. This article focuses on vaccination against flu, and the flu vaccine strains for the 2015 season, as well as vaccination against pneumococcal disease in high-risk adults.
Published
2015-03-17
Issue
Section
Vaccinology
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