2023-04-21 22:10:37
Hankook Ilbo data photo
The last week of April is ‘World Vaccination Week’ set by the World Health Organization (WHO). In particular, the number of people aged 65 and over in Korea will exceed 10 million in 2020, leading to a ‘super-aged society’. The need for vaccination is increasing for the elderly with weak immunity. Let’s take a look at four vaccines that can effectively reduce mortality in the elderly.
◇Pneumococcus
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) is a major cause of invasive infections such as pneumonia, sinusitis, otitis media, and meningitis. It causes no symptoms in most healthy adults, but can be fatal in older people and children with weakened immune systems. Pneumococci are generally distributed in the respiratory tract of asymptomatic carriers and are transmitted from person to person through droplets.
The pneumococcal vaccine is divided into the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine, which is inoculated free of charge at public health centers or designated medical institutions, and the 13-valent protein conjugate vaccine, which is inoculated at general hospitals. The advantage of the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine is that it can prevent infection with multiple serotypes, and the disadvantage is that the antibody titer begins to drop 1 year following vaccination and must be re-vaccinated 5 years later. The advantage of the 13-valent protein conjugate vaccine is that it can be expected to prevent pneumococcal infection with a single inoculation.
Kim Si-hyeon, professor of infectious medicine at Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital at the Catholic University of Korea, said, “It is difficult to say which one is superior between the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine and the 13-valent protein conjugated vaccine, and they are complementary depending on their characteristics.” It is recommended to inoculate all of them in turn.”
◇ Shingles
Shingles means ‘a band-shaped rash’. Varicella zoster virus is not completely eliminated in a person who has previously had chickenpox or has been vaccinated once morest chickenpox, but migrates to the sensory ganglion and remains dormant.
Shingles causes various skin lesions such as red spots, blisters, and pustules and neuralgia. More than 90% of adults have the varicella-zoster virus, and it usually comes back when they’re older, tired, or on immunosuppressant treatment. The time of onset usually increases rapidly following the age of 45, most often in the 70s.
The shingles vaccine is recommended for people over the age of 50. After 3 years of follow-up following vaccination of 38,000 people aged 65 years or older who had never had shingles, the incidence of shingles decreased by 51%. A decrease of 70% for those aged 50-59, 64% for those aged 60-69, 42% for those aged 70-79, and 18% for those aged 80 or older. In addition, even those who suffered from shingles at the time of vaccination had weak symptoms, and the occurrence of sequelae such as neuralgia following shingles was reduced by up to 74%.
◇Influenza
Influenza spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets secreted when an acute influenza patient coughs or sneezes. Therefore, the possibility of infection is high when in close contact with an influenza patient. Common symptoms include sudden fever of 38 degrees or higher, headache, general weakness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and muscle pain.
Influenza vaccination can be easily administered at designated medical institutions or public health centers. Influenza vaccination is free for those over 65 years of age, 6 months to 12 years of age, and pregnant women. Considering that the influenza epidemic usually starts in December, and the preventive effect appears two weeks following vaccination and is maintained for regarding 3 to 12 months (average 6 months), it is recommended to complete vaccination at a nearby medical institution by November at the latest.
Professor Kim Si-hyun said, “The most effective way to prevent influenza, which is mainly prevalent in winter, is to get the influenza vaccine.” good,” he said.
◇tetanus
Tetanus is an infectious disease in which toxins produced by bacteria invading wounds cause abnormalities in human nerves, causing muscle spasms and respiratory paralysis. It occurs when tetanus bacteria in the soil or feces enter wounds on the skin or mucous membranes. Infection can also occur when an injury is caused by a fall or an insect sting.
Although the incidence rate has decreased significantly due to recent improvements in the living environment, regarding 10 to 20 cases are still reported annually. Elderly people, infants and young children have a poor prognosis (treatment process) once infected, so prevention is important.
Professor Si-Hyeon Kim said, “If you check your past tetanus vaccination records and determine that your immunity to tetanus toxin is not sufficient, it is good to get tetanus toxoid, a preventive vaccine.” did.
Daeik Kwon medical journalist dkwon@hankookilbo.com
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