At Risk? Vaccinate Now! A National Campaign for Those 50 years and Older in the HIV Community

1. For Immediate Release: Contact: Ashley Collette
September 18, 2014 ashley@healthhiv.org/202.232.6749
At Risk? Vaccinate Now!
A National Campaign for Those 50 years and Older in the HIV Community
On National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAAD), the Pozitively Healthy
consumer coalition announces a partnership with Pfizer to launch an awareness
campaign about aging, HIV, and vaccination called, At Risk? Vaccinate Now! The
campaign will raise awareness about the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia and flu to
those 50 years and older in the HIV community and the importance of staying up to date
with all CDC recommended vaccinations. The messaging will be distributed nationally
through social media, partner organizations, and an upcoming webinar. The timing of
this campaign is critical as we enter into the winter months and the incidence of
respiratory diseases increases.1
An aging immune system coupled with certain chronic health conditions, including HIV,
can leave your immune system weakened and even more vulnerable to serious
diseases.2 Individuals 50 years or older with HIV are at four to six times greater risk of
pneumococcal pneumonia than healthy adults.3
The US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people
living with HIV (PLWH) be immunized against influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia,
hepatitis b and certain other infectious diseases, which their body may have trouble
fighting.4
“People living with HIV are consistently reminded to take their ARV therapy to maintain
an undetectable viral load and high cd4 counts as a way to help stay in good health.
What they don’t always hear about is the importance of staying up to date with current
medical interventions, like vaccinations, to help protect against illnesses they are at
higher risk for such as pneumococcal pneumonia,” said Julio Fonseca, program
manager of Pozitively Healthy. “This campaign will raise awareness about risk and
need.”
“It is critical for individuals at risk of certain vaccine-preventable diseases, including
influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia, to be aware of their vaccination status,” said
Gregg Sylvester, MD, Vice President, Americas Medical & Scientific Affairs, Pfizer
Vaccines. “We’re committed to increasing immunization rates to reduce the spread of
vaccine-preventable disease and encouraging adults 50 years and older to confirm their
vaccination needs with their health care provider.”

2. Impact of Vaccination
From polio to smallpox, vaccines have dramatically reduced the threat of many serious
diseases that were once widespread. Vaccines work by teaching the body's immune
system to recognize and defend against harmful viruses or bacteria before an infection.5
Background on HIV and Aging
Twenty years ago, a person diagnosed with HIV/AIDS faced almost certain death within
a few years, if not a few months. The transformation of HIV into a manageable chronic
illness is the result of effective anti-retroviral therapy (ART). ART efficacy is manifested
in the “graying” of the HIV epidemic. The CDC predicts that 50% of PLWH in the U.S.
will be 50 years of age and older by 2015, a proportion that rises to 71% by 2020.
About Pozitively Healthy
Pozitively Healthy is a national advocacy coalition composed of people living with HIV
and their allies, friends and family – as well as leaders and advocates in the HIV
community. Bringing together advocates, organizations, and communities, Pozitively
Healthy provides resources and services to help ensure more competent, affordable,
and effective prevention, care, and treatment services for people living with HIV. For
more information or to join the coalition, visit www.pozitivelyhealthy.org.
Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world™
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that
extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality,
safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care
products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the
world's best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work
across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments
and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our
responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we
collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support
and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than
150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more,
please visit us at www.pfizer.com.
References
1. Mourtzoukou EG1, Falagas ME. Exposure to cold and respiratory tract infections. Int J Tuberc
Lung Dis. 2007 Sep.11 (9):938-43. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17705968
2. Mandell G, Bennett J, Dolin R. Mandell, Douglas and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of
Infectious Diseases. 7th Edition. Streptococcus Pneumoniae. 2623-2642. 2010
3. Shea, Edelsberg, Weycker, Farkouh, Strutton, Pelton, Rates of Pneumococcal Disease in Adults
With Chronic Medical Conditions. Open Fum Infec. Disease. Table 2. 2014.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended Immunizations for Adults (19 Years
and Older) by Age and Medical Condition. Available at
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/adult.html Accessed September 3, 2014
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How Vaccines Prevent Diseases. Available at
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/vaccine-decision/prevent-diseases.html Accessed
September 3, 2014