Is there a vaccine for pneumonia and does it protect against coronavirus?
The World Heath Organisation have given a very clear response.
At the moment there is still no vaccine available for coronavirus despite numerous trials and tests going ahead around the world.
England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty has also said that he doesn’t expect a coronavirus vaccine to be ready before winter 2021.
With flu season around the corner, the Government have expanded the list of people who will be eligible for a flu jab on the NHS as fears that the flu, coupled with the new threat of Covid-19, could have the nation seeing even more chaos.
In some of the worst coronavirus cases, as well as showing symptoms similar to the flu, people have also been shown to have fluid in the lungs consistent with viral pneumonia.
But is there a vaccine for pneumonia, will the public have access to it like the flu jab and is it at all effective against Covid-19?
Is there a vaccine for pneumonia?
There is a vaccine for pneumonia, and it is called the pneumococcal vaccine.
According to the NHS, the vaccine ‘protects against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections.’
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that the vaccine is between 60% and 70% effective in preventing pneumonia.
The pneumococcal vaccination is not given annually like the flu jab and many people only need a single vaccination in their lifetime
At the moment, the vaccination is given to babies up to the age of one and people aged 65 and over.
It is also recommended for children and adults with certain long-term health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition.
Does the vaccine for pneumonia protect against coronavirus?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) clearly and categorically states that vaccines against pneumonia do not protect against the COVID-19 virus.
‘Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus,’ it says on their website.
‘The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts.
‘Although these vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.’
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