Did you know that a pneumococcal (new-mo-Koc-kal) shot (or pneumonia shot) can be a lifesaver if you have diabetes? People with diabetes are about 3 times more likely to die with flu and pneumonia. Yet, only one third of them ever get a simple, safe pneumonia shot.

Pneumonia is a serious illness for anyone, but if you have diabetes, you are more likely to be sicker longer, go to the hospital, or even die. One pneumonia shot can help protect you against getting sick.

A pneumonia shot is recommended for anyone aged 2 or older who, because of chronic health problems (such as diabetes) or age, has a greater chance of getting and dying with pneumonia.

A pneumonia shot can also protect you against other infections caused by the same bacteria.
Consider the risks everyone faces:

• 1 out of 20 adults who get pneumonia (a lung infection) dies
• 2 out of 10 adults who get infection of the blood (bacteremia) die
• 3 out of 10 adults who get infection of the covering of the brain (meningitis) die

About 10,000 people die each year because of these bacterial infections. A pneumonia shot, however, can help protect you against getting these illnesses. In fact, it is about 60% effective in preventing the most serious pneumonias, meningitis, bacteremia, and death.

The pneumonia shot is very safe. It does not contain any live bacteria, which means there is no way to get pneumonia from the shot. People may have mild redness or swelling in the arm where the shot was given. This goes away in a day or two.

A pneumonia shot is available through your doctor’s office, your community health clinic, hospitals, and some worksite programs. You can get it anytime during the year. For most people, one shot is enough protection for a lifetime. People under 65 who have a chronic illness or a weakened immune system should ask their doctor about getting another shot 5—10 years after their first one.

CDC [PDF]

CDC

During week 10 (March 2 – 8, 2008), influenza activity continued to decrease in the United States.

One thousand nine hundred thirty-six (21.6%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories were positive for influenza.

The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was above the epidemic threshold for the ninth consecutive week.

The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was above national baseline levels, while the proportion of outpatient visits for acute respiratory illness (ARI) was below national baseline levels. ILI decreased in eight of the nine regions compared to week 9, and fell below the region specific baseline in the Mid-Atlantic region, but remained above region-specific baselines in the remaining eight regions. The West North Central region reported ARI above its region-specific baseline.

Forty-two states reported widespread influenza activity; eight states reported regional influenza activity; the District of Columbia reported local influenza activity; and Puerto Rico reported sporadic influenza activity.

During week 10, 8.7% of all deaths reported through the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System were reported as due to P&I. This percentage is above the epidemic threshold of 7.2% for week 10. Including week 10, P&I mortality has been above epidemic threshold for nine consecutive weeks.

Eight influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to CDC during week 10 [ME, MA, NJ, NM, PA(2), VA, and WI]. These deaths occurred between February 15 and March 2, 2008. One additional death from Illinois, confirmed during week 9, was not reported last week. Since September 30, 2007, CDC has received a total of 41 reports of influenza-associated pediatric deaths that occurred during the current season.