Note: There are placeholders in the text below to fill in with information specific to your practice
and local media. You may wish to customize the content as needed.
Dear [REPORTER NAME],
Pneumococcal disease is a serious and potentially deadly infection, yet four out of five US adults
may not even know about it. The disease can be particularly dangerous for older adults, as well
as those with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. For this
reason, health officials recommend vaccination to help protect these adults.
Following is information about pneumococcal disease and the importance of vaccination,
particularly for at-risk individuals.
Please contact me [INSERT PHONE NUMBER/EMAIL] with any questions or to speak with a
pneumococcal disease expert.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your consideration,
[NAME]
US Adults Remain Unprotected from a Potentially Deadly Infection
[PRACTICE NAME] encourages patients to talk to their healthcare professional about
pneumococcal disease and vaccination
Adults age 65 years and older as well as those age 19 to 64 years who smoke or have health
conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or asthma, are at greater risk for a serious infection
called pneumococcal disease. This infection can develop very quickly and may lead to death
within just a few days, but vaccination can help prevent it.
According to a survey by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, four out of five US
adults don’t know about pneumococcal disease. Yet nearly one million US adults get
pneumococcal pneumonia every year and 5 to 7 percent will die from it.
“We encourage adults to make sure they are protected against pneumococcal disease if they fall
into a risk category,” said [INSERT SPOKESPERSON NAME AND TITLE]. “There are many
locations that offer pneumococcal vaccination, including your primary care physician’s office and
[INSERT OTHER LOCATIONS]. Many pharmacies also offer vaccination. Be sure to ask about
vaccination at your next doctor’s visit.”
Pneumococcal disease can be very serious and treatment may require hospitalization. Some
patients may need weeks or months to recover before returning to normal activities. Vaccination
offers the safest and most effective protection.
October 2014
There are currently two types of pneumococcal vaccine recommended for US adults: a
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
(PPSV23).
Adults 65 years and older, and those age 19 to 64 years with any of the following conditions need
to receive both vaccines: conditions or treatments that compromise the immune system (for
example, HIV/AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, or radiation therapy); a damaged or
missing spleen; cochlear implants; or spinal fluid leaks.
Other adults age 19 to 64 years for whom pneumococcal vaccination is recommended only need
PPSV23, but may need more than one dose and will need PCV13 when they, too, reach age 65.
Medicare and most private insurance companies currently pay for pneumococcal vaccination for
patients who need it.
For more information about pneumococcal disease and prevention, visit adultvaccination.org
and [INSERT URL FOR PRACTICE WEBSITE].
October 2014