TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR
While protecting yourself against the flu and other serious respiratory diseases, remember to speak with your doctor about protecting against pneumococcal pneumonia too.
Here’s what you can talk about:
Your health
Certain chronic conditions like diabetes, chronic heart disease, or chronic lung disease can increase your risk for pneumococcal pneumonia.1 The risk can go up even further if you have more than one condition.1
Medicines you are currently taking
Individuals taking immunosuppressive medications are also at higher risk, including some medicines that treat psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis, among others.2
Your age
People aged 65 or above are at higher risk for pneumococcal pneumonia even if they are healthy.1,3
Sample questions
- What is pneumococcal pneumonia?
- How do you get pneumococcal pneumonia?
- I’m active and healthy. Do I also need to be vaccinated?
Some questions relating to the prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia:
- How to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia?
- What types of vaccines are available, and which one is right for me?
- Is a pneumonia conjugate vaccine right for me?
- When should I get vaccinated?
Bring this guide with you to start the conversation with your doctor.
References
- American Lung Association. Get the facts about pneumococcal pneumonia. Available at: www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/pneumococcal. Accessed Jul 2023.
- American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. Immunosuppressive medication for the treatment of autoimmune disease. Available at: www.aaaai.org/conditions-treatments/related-conditions/immunosuppressive. Accessed Jul 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal disease: Risk factors & how it spreads. Available at: www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/about/risk-transmission.html. Accessed Jul 2023.