2009 H1N1 and Pneumococcal Disease

November 25, 2009, 1:00 PM ET

A flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu infection. This 2009-2010 influenza season, there is a seasonal flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu viruses and a 2009 H1N1 vaccine to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called “swine flu”). For information about the 2009 H1N1 vaccines, visit H1N1 Flu Vaccination Resources. For information about seasonal influenza vaccines, visit Preventing Seasonal Flu With Vaccination.

Influenza infections can make people more likely to develop bacterial pneumonia. Pneumococcus is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Pneumococcal infections are a serious complication of seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenza infections and can cause death.

For the prevention of pneumococcal disease, two vaccines are currently available in the United States. The links below will take you to more information about pneumococcal vaccines and disease.

General Information:

For Clinicians:

Interim guidance for use of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine during novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak
Letter to Providers Promoting PPSV for Adults
Prevention Of Pneumococcal Infections Secondary To Seasonal And 2009 H1N1 Influenza
Health Alert Notice - 2009 H1N1 Pandemic Update: Pneumococcal Vaccination Recommended to Help Prevent Secondary Infections
CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): Bacterial Coinfections in Lung Tissue Specimens from Fatal Cases of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) --- United States, May--August 2009; September 29, 2009 / 58 (Early Release);1-4
CDC’s Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) September 28 - Bacterial Coinfections and the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic (Interim Transcript Audio)
Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults

U.S. ACIP Recommendations for Use of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine

	Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV)
Universal vaccination	All adults 65 years of age and older

Medical Indications	Persons 2 through 64 years of age who have one or more of the following long-term health problems:
	chronic cardiovascular disease (congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathies) chronic pulmonary disease (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema) diabetes mellitus alcoholism chronic liver disease (including cirrhosis) cerebrospinal fluid leaks, cochlear implant functional or anatomic asplenia including sickle cell disease and splenectomy immunocompromising conditions including HIV infection, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, generalized malignancy, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome; those receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy (including corticosteroids); and those who have received an organ or bone marrow transplant residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities
	Adults 19 through 64 years of age who:
	smoke cigarettes have asthma

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