VACCINATION is often associated with babies and young children. In fact, many vaccine-preventable diseases have a significant impact on the adult population, especially the elderly.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is one disease that's often linked with babies and very young children.
However, it also poses a serious danger to those above 65.
Last month, the Malaysian Thoracic Society (MTS) conducted an online survey to find out how much Malaysians know about pneumococcal pneumonia, their behavioural patterns in relation to healthcare choices, and their perception of vaccination.
The survey, supported by Pfizer Malaysia, showed that 62 per cent of respondents were not aware that pneumococcal pneumonia could be prevented through vaccination.
Many also believed that only babies and children were susceptible to the disease.
Older adults (aged 50 and above) are predisposed to the disease because of their impaired gag reflex, impaired mucociliary function, declining immunity and presence of comorbidities.
This is especially worrying because Malaysia is expected to be an ageing nation by 2030. It's projected that 15 per cent of its population then will be 60 years and above.
"In an ageing population with a high burden of vaccine-preventable diseases such as pneumococcal pneumonia, vaccines are equally important in adults as they are in children.
"Older adults have a far higher risk of contracting infections and severe complications than younger people, and their impact is often greater, with poorer outcomes," says Associate Professor Dr Pang Yong Kek, who is MTS president and senior consultant respiratory physician.
A MAJOR RISK
Pneumonia in the elderly can be very serious — even deadly, adds Dr Pang — and everyone has a critical role to play in ensuring people of all ages have the opportunity to prevent illness through vaccination.
He says that many people assume one contracts pneumonia only in a hospital setting when, in fact, it's more common to acquire it in the community as you go about daily life.
Pfizer Malaysia and Brunei country manager Luksanawan Thangpaibool says pneumonia is one of the leading causes of deaths in Malaysia.
Those with pneumococcal disease can spread it to others through coughing or sneezing.
Globally, pneumonia affects 450 million people a year, especially the elderly and those with comorbidities.
In Malaysia, pneumonia was the second leading cause of death in 2018 and the principal cause of death in females at 12.8 per cent.
"We are often unaware of the impact that infectious diseases can have on ourselves and our loved ones. They can put us at risk of serious medical conditions.
"Ongoing vaccination is a crucial cornerstone in keeping our communities healthy as it protects us from many serious infectious diseases at every stage of life," says Luksanawan.
Dr Pang says even if an elderly person is active and healthy, he may still be at increased risk of pneumococcal pneumonia, so vaccination is crucial.
The disease is also not seasonal — one can catch it at any time of the year.
"As you age, your immune system weakens. At 65 and above, the risk of hospitalisation with pneumococcal pneumonia is more than 10 times greater than adults aged between 18 and 49."
Symptoms may continue for weeks or months in elderly patients and some may never fully recover.
The cost of treating the disease can also be financially draining for the patient and his family, and children would have to take time off from work to care for ailing parents, which further disrupts daily life.
A VULNERABLE COMMUNITY
In Malaysia, children born on or after Jan 1, 2020 are eligible for the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which is given to children under 2 years old.
Dr Pang says that while the child target group is being addressed, it still leaves other sectors of the community vulnerable to the disease.
While the vaccination programme targeting young children will create herd immunity and offer some protection to old people, it's still not large enough to prevent infections among the elderly.
In Malaysia, as announced in the 2021 Budget, each family can claim tax exemption up to RM1,000 (for self, spouse or child) for vaccine-related expenditure, including the pneumococcal vaccine.
FAST FACTS
*Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.
*The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus, causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills and difficulty breathing.
*It can range in seriousness from mild to life threatening.
*Most serious in infants and young children, people older than 65 and those with health problems or weakened immune systems.