Nursing Updates

Keeping your family members as healthy as possible is one of our main goals here at Montrose Health Center. With winter comes an increased risk of sickness, and our elderly population is especially vulnerable to this. We offer each of our residents the opportunity to get vaccinated for pneumonia, but different options may come with questions.  

Pneumococcal disease is common in young children, but older adults are at greatest risk of serious illness and death. In the United States, there are 2 kinds of vaccines that help prevent pneumococcal disease: 

*Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13, PCV15, and PCV20) 

*Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) 

Studies show that getting at least 1 shot of PCV13 protects 3 in 4 adults 65 years or older against invasive pneumococcal disease and 9 in 20 adults 65 years or older against pneumococcal pneumonia. 

Studies also show that getting 1 shot of PPSV23 protects between 6 to 7 in 10 healthy adults against invasive pneumococcal disease. 

CDC recommends 1 dose of PPSV23 for all aged 65 years or older. If an individual has never received a pneumococcal vaccine, one dose of PCV13 is recommended followed by a single dose of PPSV23 at least 1 year after PCV13 was received. Once these are administered, pneumococcal vaccinations are complete. However, an additional PPSV23 shot may be warranted after 5 years if certain chronic medical conditions or immunosuppression are present.  

Side effects with these vaccines are usually mild and the benefits that come with this protection far outweigh the risks. We are always available to discuss concerns and able to begin these vaccinations as early as admission to help keep your loved ones healthy!