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The Thunder Bay District Health Unit says people over 50, especially those over 65 with underlying medical conditions, should consider getting a pneumococcal vaccine this winter.
The vaccine protects against a bacteria which can become invasive pneumococcal disease.
Laura Dennis, manager of the vaccine-preventable diseases program at the health unit, said the number of cases isn’t alarming. But it’s increasing nonetheless and can be serious.
The disease is spread through having close contact with someone who has the bacteria in their nose or mouth, she said.
“This bacteria can invade a normally sterile place like your blood or your brain or your lungs, and can cause pneumonia if it enters the lungs. It can cause sepsis if it enters the blood, and it can cause meningitis if it enters the fluid around the brain,” Dennis said.
In a release, the health unit said the annual number of cases have increased from 63 in 2023, to 77 in 2024 and up to 95 cases so far this year. More than half of the cases from this year included people who were 50 and older.
Over two thirds of the cases this year required hospitalization with some patients ending up in intensive care.
Known as the pneumonia shot or the pneumo vaccine, the vaccine is free for adults in Ontario to receive one time. Some people are also eligible for a second, free shot.
Here is a summary of the eligibility criteria in Ontario:
People 65 years and older who have not already had the vaccine. People of any age with chronic disease or underlying medical conditions. People who are 65 years or older who also have a chronic disease or an underlying medical condition can get a second dose (if it has been at least one year since their first dose).
Dennis said the goal is to see an overall increase in vaccines over the next two to three months.
It’s not available for free at pharmacies. She encourages people to contact their health care provider or the Thunder Bay District Health Unit directly for more information. Right now the TBDHU is booking appointments into January.