Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 10, 1 October 1988 — Campaign Targets Senior Citizen [ARTICLE]

Campaign Targets Senior Citizen

Pneumonia is a serious threat to the lives of Hawaii's senior citizens according to the State Department of Health. Despite that alarming fact, more than 93 percent of Oahu residents 65 years or older remain unprotected by the pneumoeoeeal vaccine. It is estimated that only 5,000 of Oahu's 80,000 seniors have received the vaccine.

One type of pneumonia, pneumoeoeeal bacteremia, hasa35%fatalityrateanda 100%hospitalization rate in patients 65 years of age or older. As a result of the seriousness of this condition, the Communicable Disease Division of the State of Hawaii is conducting a massive four-month campaign to inoculate senior citizens on Oahu. It begins Sept. 1 and ends Dec. 30 on Oahu only. The Department of Health says if sufficient response is generated, the vaccination program will be expanded to the neighbor islands.

Forty-hve clinics will be located on Oahu at recreation centers, shopping centers, established medical clinics and other sites. There is no charge to senior citizens (65 years or older) for the vaccination, but you are asked to bring your immunization record card if you have one, as well as Medicare or other health insurance cards. Kaiser Permanente members should contact their physician to arrange for the vaccine. Only one injection is recommended, so eheek with your doctor to make sure you have never received the vaccine. For additional information, eall 926-6951.