Free Pneumonia Vaccine to Nova Scotians at Risk

Nova Scotians at risk for a common type of pneumonia will be given free immunization shots under an expanded program announced today, April 16.

The Department of Health's pneumococcal immunization program, which previously only covered people aged 65 and over, will include other Nova Scotians at risk starting April 20.

"I urge Nova Scotians at risk for pneumonia to take advantage of this new health-care service," said Health Minister Jim Smith. "This is a great way to keep Nova Scotians healthy."

People at risk for pneumonia include those with chronic heart or lung disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, HIV-AIDS infection or other diseases of the immune system, chronic liver disease and alcoholism.

About 95,000 Nova Scotians under 65 are considered at risk for pneumococcal pneumonia and can receive the vaccine, which is expected to cost the province between $500,000 and $1 million.

"This is a preventable condition for people at risk who can take advantage of this free vaccine," said Dr. Jeff Scott, provincial medical officer of health. "In one easy step, people can protect themselves against serious illness."

The pneumococcal vaccine protects against a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis. Every year in Canada, there are an estimated 80,000 cases of pneumonia, 4,000 cases of blood infection and 500 cases of meningitis due to this germ.

As well, infections from this germ account for about 30 to 50 per cent of hospital admissions for community-acquired pneumonia in adults.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a bacterial infection of the lungs. It causes fever, chills, cough and soreness in the chest and back. Some people may develop serious illness and require hospitalization. The bacteria spread from person to person through discharges of the mouth and nose.

Nova Scotians over 65 were first offered the free pneumococcal vaccine last October as part of the annual flu shot campaign. One injection to protect against pneumococcal pneumonia is generally good for life.

The pneumonia immunization campaign is a project of the Department of Health in partnership with the Medical Society of Nova Scotia, the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia, the Lung Association of Nova Scotia, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations.

NOTE: The following is intended for use by electronic media.

Nova Scotians at risk for a common type of

pneumonia will soon be getting free immunization shots.

The free pneumonia shots were given to Nova

Scotians aged 65 and over last fall.

Starting next Monday April 20th, the free shots

will be available to about 95-thousand Nova Scotians

under 65 who are considered at risk for what can be a

serious illness.

That includes anyone with chronic heart, lung,

kidney and liver disease, alcoholism, diabetes,

H-I-V, AIDS or other immune system diseases.

The program is expected to cost between

500-thousand and one-million dollars.