Vic: Elderly urged to vaccinate against pneumonia

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2001
Vic: Elderly urged to vaccinate against pneumonia

People over 65 are being urged to make sure they are immunised against pneumonia, a
disease which kills hundreds of Australians every year.

August and September are considered peak times for pneumonia and the death rate is
highest in people aged 65 and older.

Doctors are concerned that more than 60 per cent of that age group have never been
vaccinated against pneumonia or even know that a vaccine exists.

Pneumonia specialist MICHAEL WOODWARD says people over 65 are two to three times more
likely to catch pneumonia than the average adult, even if they are fit and healthy.

The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends vaccination every five years.





People with diabetes, those with serious medical conditions such as heart, respiratory
and kidney disease and Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders aged over 50 are also advised
to visit their doctor to discuss pneumonia vaccination.

AAP RTV svm/clr/jas

KEYWORD: PNEUMONIA (MELBOURNE)

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