Primaris Press Release
| For immediate release: October 17, 2003 |
Contact: Matt Heger Primaris Communications Department (800) 735-6776, Ext. 136 |
Majority of Missouri Seniors Overdue for a Pneumonia Shot, Doctor Says
A group of Missouri healthcare professionals today warned that too many Missouri seniors are not up to date on their pneumococcal (pneumonia) shot, and reminded them that Medicare Part B and Medicare HMOs covers this important vaccination.
Nearly 6 out of every 10 Missouri senior citizens are in need of a pneumonia shot, according to Medicare claims data of non-HMO Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pneumococcal disease kills more people every year than all other vaccine preventable diseases combined. In 2001, almost 1,600 Missourians died from the disease. The CDC estimates that as many as 40,000 Americans die from pneumonia each year.
“Despite the fact that the pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine is clinically effective, cost effective and a Medicare Part B benefit, it remains underutilized,” said Gregg Laiben, M.D., and Medical Director for Primaris, the federally designated Medicare quality improvement organization (QIO) for Missouri. “Opportunities to vaccinate Medicare patients are too often missed, and many beneficiaries are not aware that they need a pneumonia shot.”
“Pneumonia is a very serious disease, especially for senior citizens,” said Dr. Laiben. “The best way to reduce [a person’s] chances of developing pneumonia is to get a pneumococcal vaccination. The shot is safe, affordable and effective.”
Unlike the flu shot, Dr. Laiben says that seniors 65 and older need only one pneumococcal vaccination in their lifetime, though a booster shot may be required for those who received their shot before the age of 65. He recommended that Medicare beneficiaries get the pneumonia shot when they get their influenza vaccination this year.
“Seniors should see their doctor and ask if they need the pneumococcal vaccination,” Dr. Laiben added.
Primaris is a non-profit, private, physician-sponsored
organization that works collaboratively with hospitals,
nursing homes, home health agencies, health plans and physicians
to improve healthcare quality for Missouri Medicare beneficiaries.
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Click here for a list of Missouri counties below the state average for pneumonia immunizations.
MO-03-10-PNEU This material was prepared by Primaris
under contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS). The contents do not necessarily reflect
CMS policy.
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