Board of Health Offering Free Pneumonia Shots

The Winchester Board of Health announced it is offering free pneumonia shots through the middle of August.

Pneumovax 23 will be available through Aug. 18. Pneumovax 23 protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria, including those that cause serious disease of lungs (pneumonia), blood and brain (meningitis), according to the Board of Health.

The pneumonia shots are recommended for people 19 years and older as follows:

• People Who Smoke
• All Adults 65 years of Age

And people younger than age 65 who:

• Have chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, asthma
• Have weakened immune system due to cancer, radiation/chemo and long-term steroids

Only one Pneumovax 23 shot is needed if it was received after age 65. The Board of Health said, if the shot was received before the age of 65, one more is needed after that age, as long as five years have past between the two doses.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Kathy Whittaker RN at 781-721-7121.