PNEUMOCOCCOL, INFLUENZA VACCINES CAN REDUCE RISK OF PNEUMONIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Vaccination with the pneumococcal
23-valent vaccine and influenza vaccine can reduce the risk of complications
from pneumonia by 69 per cent for Influenza A(H1N1) patients.

Prof Dr Che Ilina Che Ishak, a member of the Asia-Pacific Advisory
Committee on Influenza, said both vaccines could reduce the death rate by 81 per
cent among children aged two years and the elderly up to age 65.

"Taking the two vaccines can strengthen the body resistance to 69 per cent
compared with 27 per cent by taking only the pneumococcal vaccine and 52 per
cent by taking the influenza vaccine only when warded in hospital," she told
reporters after a dialogue with her on the pneumococcal vaccine, here, Tuesday.

She said high-risk groups like those suffering from cardiovascular and lung
diseases, asthma and diabetes, as well as liquor drinkers and those with poor
immunity were encouraged to be administered with the two vaccines.

Dr Che Ilina said currently in Malaysia, only those going for the Haj
pilgrimage or undergoing spinal surgery were vaccinated with the two vaccines,
compared with the United States where 30 per cent of the population received the
vaccines.


"However, pregnant women are advised to consult the doctor before getting
the pneumococcal vaccine jab," she said, adding that the Influenza A(H1N1)
vaccine was a suitable anti-viral medicine for this group.

She said the suggested retail price for the pneumococcal vaccine was around
RM85 (US$1=RM3.4) and for the influenza vaccine at RM35 per jab.