By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team
In 1957, Huey “Piano” Smith and The Clowns released the song Rockin’ Pneumonia and The Boogie Woogie Flu. The song was a reference to the 1957 and 1958 pandemic of the Asian flu. Although, the lyrics are really about approaching a woman at a nightclub and really do not provide any suggestion to the pandemic. I remember the remake version by Johnny Rivers in 1972. The song hit number six on the United States Billboard Hot 100 in the winter of 1973.
The Asian flu pandemic was reported as beginning in China, but cases had been reported in Singapore as well. The outbreak was due to an influenza A virus subtype H2N2. The pandemic eventually hit the United States and was reported in Navy personnel at the Newport Naval Station in 1958. The global pandemic reportedly caused an excess of 1 to 4 million deaths.
Rockin’ (actually known as Walking) pneumonia is a milder form of lung infection caused by some bacteria. It is very treatable in the outpatient setting hence “walking”. One of the more common causes of walking pneumonia is a bacterium named Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Some confuse this bacterium with the organism that causes tuberculosis, but they are very different bugs and disease states.
In contrast, a more severe form of pneumonia is caused by the bacterium known as Streptococcus pneumoniae or commonly referred to as pneumococcus. This pneumonia can present with a sore throat, high fevers, shaking chills, cough, and difficulty breathing. This infection can become deadly quickly if not adequately treated. In 1990, some may remember the untimely death of Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, who died from sepsis and organ failure after contracting a Streptococcus lung infection.
The CDC reports over 1 million hospitalizations and 50,000 deaths each year are the result of pneumonia. Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. COVID-19, RSV, and influenza are all viral pneumonias. Many bacterial lung infections from Streptococcus can be prevented with pneumonia vaccines.
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a gram-positive, lancet-shaped bacterial organisms with over 100 known subspecies that resides in the respiratory tract of healthy individuals. Some of these subspecies are known to be highly aggressive (virulent) in causing severe disease. Adults over the age of 65 years are at a 6 times higher risk of developing pneumonia and are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized. Adults over the age of 18 with chronic health conditions are at a higher risk as well.
Infants and children are susceptible to Streptococcus pneumoniae infections and the organism can be responsible for ear infections, sinus infections, meningitis, and pneumonia. It is recommended for children under the age of 2 years that they receive a total of 4 doses of a conjugate pneumococcal vaccine to prevent serious infections.
Adults over the age of 18 years of age with chronic conditions or adults over the age of 65 years should receive a pneumococcal series. Prior to June 2021, this series involved 2 different types of vaccines. The combination included a polysaccharide vaccine covering 23 subspecies (PPSV23) and a conjugate vaccine covering 13 or 15 (PCV13 or PCV15) subspecies. The conjugate vaccine elicits a robust immune response to protect against infection.
The FDA approved a new conjugate vaccine in 2021 that covered 20 subspecies including some highly infectious types. The June 2021 approval of PREVNAR 20TM (PCV20) was indicated for adults (over 65 years or over 18 with chronic health conditions) who had never received a pneumonia vaccine or had only been given one of the previous vaccines (PCV or PPSV23). The approval left questions about whether the additional 7 subspecies covered by the new vaccine would be needed in those who had completed the 2-dose series (PCV and PPSV23).
The CDC has an Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines within the United States. The experts in medicine and public health evaluate studies and evidence to determine best practices for vaccine preventative care for the US population.
On February 16, 2023, the ACIP made a recommendation to the CDC to consider requiring the PREVNAR 20TM vaccine in those 65 years and older plus those 18 and older with chronic conditions to receive the 20 subspecies pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in those who had received the previous 2 pneumonia vaccines (PCV and PPSV23). The recommendation is for those who have completed the 2 shot series at least five years prior. If the series was completed in the last 5 years, they would not be eligible to get the PCV20 vaccine until the 5 years had lapsed. Final recommendations on PCV20 vaccine will be released by the CDC after consideration of the ACIP actions.
Rockin’ against pneumonia and boogie woogie into your healthcare professional’s office to get the latest information on the pneumonia vaccines.
ONU HealthWise is offering COVID-19 vaccines as well as flu shots Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are available. Clinics are Monday through Friday from 4:00- 6:00 p.m. Please call the pharmacy for information.
ONU HealthWise Pharmacy
419-772-3784
