10/6/2016
When it comes to fall immunizations, Influenza vaccine is the first great reason to have your patients come in. The second and third reasons could be for Zoster and Pneumonia vaccines as well! Don’t miss adult vaccination opportunities and don’t wait until it’s too late. Be sure to schedule your patients’ next immunization appointments before they leave your office. Send reminders via texts, e-mails, phone calls or all of the above to get your patients on track for gold medal wellness.
It is of interest to note, the risk of shingles is highest in those patients 50-59 years of age and the vaccine to prevent it, Zostavax is actually indicated for those as young as 50. Zostavax has been studied when given concomitantly with TIV, refer to section 14.3 in the Zostavax prescribing information. PNEUMOVAX 23 and ZOSTAVAX should be separated by 4 weeks, see PNEUMOVAX 23 prescribing information for immunogenicity data.
The CDC’s recommendations on Pneumococcal vaccination are particularly helpful considering the two different vaccines licensed for use in the United States; PCV13, PREVNAR 13 and PPSV23, PNEUMOVAX 23. A long list of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes have little chance to infect those immune systems primed by both vaccines.
As a matter of fact, 11 serotypes alone, those in PNEUMOVAX 23 caused 40% of IPD in 2013 according to the CDC. Additionally, a 14 year retrospective study showed immunocompetent adults 65 years of age and older experienced a 75% efficacy rate in protection against the serotypes covered by PNEUMOVAX 23.
Step onto the winners’ platform this season with dedicated adult immunization and leave vaccine preventable diseases in the dust.