May 23rd, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Pneumonia is preventable through vaccine, according to Bob Blancato, Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging.  Though some may think pneumonia is like other diseases people work through, Blancato says statistics say otherwise…

   

“With 1.4 million visits to the hospital from pneumonia and 40,000 deaths a year, I think it’s a little more serious and it’s a real concern.”

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control lowered recommended age for the vaccine from 65 to 50 years of age…

  

“Older adults can have more complications from getting pneumonia and they could require hospitalization.  And an older adult could take longer to recover if they get pneumonia, and so our focus and our efficacy work is on the 50 plus population.”