That’s despite being informed of the disease’s serious and potentially fatal complications
Tuesday 16 May is Know Pneumonia Day, hosted by Lung Foundation Australia.
Pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening lung infection that results in the lungs’ air sacs filling with secretions and fluids that obstruct normal air flow.
It can be spread through inhaling infected droplets in the air, or triggered by a cold or bout of the flu, which allows germs to grow in the lungs.
The Lung Foundation recently conducted its Know Pneumonia Research Survey online among a representative sample of 1,241 Australians aged 18 and above.
According to respiratory physician Associate Professor Lucy Morgan from Lung Foundation Australia, Australians are not being persuaded of the seriousness of pneumococcal pneumonia infection, despite more than 63% of respondents reporting underlying risk factors.
“Pneumonia and pneumonia-like illness is among the top 15 contributing causes of death nationally and among the top five leading causes of hospitalisation in Australia,” says A/Prof Morgan.
“All adults aged 65 and over are at increased risk of contracting pneumococcal pneumonia due to their age alone.
“Lung Foundation Australia’s research shows ongoing efforts to raise public awareness of the seriousness of pneumococcal pneumonia infection are simply not resonating,” she says.
“Even among high risk groups, such as those aged over 65, there are no overwhelmingly high motivators for vaccination.”
More than three in four (75%) of Australian adults were not interested in being vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, despite being informed of its serious and potentially fatal complications.
And among respondents aged 65+, only 32% ‘strongly agree’ that their age puts them at risk.