In our family, infections and viruses seem to like our lungs, and we've had more than most cases of pneumonia, from the littlest ones to the oldest ones. (An 8-month-old in my extended family is now recovering from pneumonia.) So I didn't hesitate getting a pneumonia shot when it was offered during a flu shot clinic at the newspaper several years ago.

I was a bit on the youngish side when I had it (early 50s) but it looks like more people are opting for them now, especially those 65 and older, according to a report out today by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

The percentage of adults aged 65 years (and older) who had ever received a pneumococcal vaccination increased from 56.8 percent in 2000 to 66.5 percent in 2011 among non-Hispanic whites, from 30.5 percent in 2000 to 47.6 percent in 2011 among non-Hispanic blacks, and from 30.4 percent in 2000 to 43.1 percent in 2011 among Hispanics.

Have you had a pneumonia shot?

(S-R file photo)

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