Page 10 - Leisure Living Magazine July 2019

Vaccine Update
Continued from page 9
pneumococcus. This bacteria can contribute to multiple types of infections such ear infections, meningitis (an inflammation of the protective covering of your brain and spinal cord), blood infections, and pneumonia. The CDC reports that 5% of people with pneumococcal pneumonia will die, and in older adults, this number could be even higher. Each year there are reports of hundreds of thousands of cases of pneumococcal disease, however with vaccination the number of cases that require hospitalization or lead to death has drastically decreased. There are two vaccines given to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia, the PCV13 (Prevnar) and the PPSV23 (Pneumovax). It is important that every person receives both of these vaccines, however the order in which you receive them is dependent on your age and your health conditions. In some cases, you may have to receive one of the vaccines twice. Your local pharmacy or doctor’s office can help you determine in what order you should receive the vaccinations.
There has been a lot of media coverage on the increased number of people in the US who have measles. Measles is a very contagious virus that is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus starts with a fever and soon after a rash of tiny red spots appear which usually will cover the entire body. Measles can become a serious infection which can lead to complications such as ear infections leading to permanent hearing loss and diarrhea. In severe cases, measles can lead to pneumonia or encephalitis, which is
swelling of the brain. Measles can be prevented with the MMR vaccine, which is usually given in childhood. This vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. Before the measles vaccination program started in the early 1960s, an estimated 3 to 4 million people got measles each year. Since then, widespread use of the measles vaccine has lead to a greater than 99% reduction in measles cases and was declared eliminated in the US in 2000. Measles is still common in many parts of the world, therefore, if an unvaccinated individual travels outside of the US, they can become susceptible to the disease and bring it back into the US and spread it to their community. If you are unsure whether you are immune to measles, you should first try to find your vaccination records or documentation of your immunity. If you do not have written documentation, there is no harm in getting another dose of MMR.
In 1998, there was a study published claiming that the MMR vaccine causes autism, however what is often not reported is that the study was critically flawed. The study was published by a medical doctor in a well-regarded British medical journal. After an investigation of the study’s authenticity, the study was retracted, which in scientific terms means that the paper is no longer part of the scientific record because it was found to be based on scientific misconduct. In this case, the study was deemed fraudulent and the physician was stripped of his medical license due to unethical behavior, misconduct, and dishonesty. Since then, multiple studies in multiple countries have been completed confirming that children who receive the MMR vaccine are not at increased risk of autism.
In summary, vaccinations are one of the most effective of all global public health missions to prevent deadly diseases. Vaccines are given in all stages of life, including infancy, childhood, and adulthood and it is important to ensure you are up to date on your vaccines to maintain your health. Your local pharmacist is a great resource to help you determine vaccine eligibility, cost, and administration of your vaccines.
Marilee Clemons, PharmD is a Clinical Pharmacist at the University of Toledo General Internal Medicine Clinics and a Lecturer at The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Elizabeth McMain is a PharmD Candidate Class of 2020 at The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
323 Buckeye Boulevard Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
419-734-7140
fax: 419-355-8073
1908 Hayes Avenue Fremont, Ohio 43420
H
aynes Financial services Patrick J. Haynes
Helping Small Businesses Stay In Balance For Over 45 Years
haynespj1@yahoo.com
10 |LeisureLiving July 2019
www.LeisureLivingMagazine.com
Accepting New and Former Clients