Perhaps you may or may not have heard, but there were high levels of influenza and pneumonia for 16 consecutive weeks during last year’s flu season. Unfortunately, our region had some of the highest hospitalizations in Idaho due to pneumonia last year and we had some of the lowest vaccination rates. With your help, we can change this!

Pneumonia is a lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection, in which the air sacs fill with pus and may become solid. Typically, symptoms include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing.

Did you know that older adults are at greatest risk of serious illness and death from pneumonia? That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination for adults 65 and older and adults ages 19 to 64 who have chronic conditions. They also recommend a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for all children younger than 2 years old.

The medical specialists at Bingham Memorial Family Medicine, Clifford & Clark Family, and Pocatello Women’s Health Clinic, all proud members of Bingham Healthcare, would like to invite you to receive a pneumonia vaccine this year. Vaccines are covered by most insurance.

If you have not already done so, we highly encourage you to speak with your primary care doctor about being vaccinated to reduce your risk of pneumococcal pneumonia this year. If you do not have a primary care provider, please feel free to contact one of our clinics to schedule an appointment with one of our primary care providers.

Pocatello

Same-day and next-day appointments are always available.

Our content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.