As the peak of flu season approaches, a complication that can arise along with influenza in people over the age of 65 is pneumonia. However, people in that age group can take a step to prevent contracting pneumonia by receiving a vaccination. According to Nurse Lynn Fisher of Washington County Public Health, the pneumonia vaccine used to be a single shot, but since 2014 the Centers for Disease Control has switched to a two-dose series. The CDC recommends receiving both shots after turning 65, starting with Prevnar 13 vaccine and then the polysaccharide vaccine approximately one year later. However, Fisher says if they’re done the other way around it shouldn’t matter too much.

Once a person receives the vaccines, Fisher says they should be good for life without needing a booster, except those who have high-risk conditions. Those people will want to consult with their physicians to see if they need additional vaccinations after 5-10 years. Additionally, the CDC recommends a lower-dose version of the Prevnar 13 vaccination for children under five, as they are also more susceptible to contracting pneumonia. For more information about pneumonia shots, listen to the In Touch with Southeast Iowa interview with Fisher at KCIIRadio.com.