Pro Golfer Jim Furyk Teams Up With Pfizer To Raise Awareness For Pneumococcal Pneumonia And The Importance Of Older Adult Vaccination

Furyk Takes Time to Coach His Coach, His Father, and Other Adults 65 and Older About the Risk for Potentially Serious Infectious Diseases, Like Pneumococcal Pneumonia

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This Father’s Day, Jim Furyk will be thinking about more than just strategizing for the next Major as he joins Pfizer to encourage adults 65 and older to take responsibility for their health. On Father’s Day 2003, Furyk won a Major with his coach and father, Mike, by his side.¹ This year, Jim will be one of 156 golfers to gather in Oakmont, PA, to play in one of professional golf’s major championship tournaments.

“My dad’s been with me every step of the way, and frankly, I wouldn’t be the man and golfer I am today if it weren’t for him”

For adults 65 and older, healthy aging includes eating well, staying physically active, seeing their doctor for regular health visits and making sure they are up-to-date on vaccines that may help protect against potentially serious infectious diseases like pneumococcal pneumonia.

“My dad’s been with me every step of the way, and frankly, I wouldn’t be the man and golfer I am today if it weren’t for him,” said Furyk. “But now it’s time for me to ‘coach my coach’ about taking personal responsibility for his well-being. Just like overcoming hazards along a golf course, understanding your risk for potentially serious infectious illnesses like pneumococcal pneumonia can help adults 65 and older stay on the right track. Talk to your healthcare provider and make sure that you’re up-to-date on all of your appropriate vaccinations.”

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious and, in some cases, life-threatening illness that can strike at any time.² Adults age 65 and older may be at increased risk for illnesses like pneumococcal pneumonia because our immune systems naturally weaken as we age.³ But, vaccines can help reduce the chance of getting certain infectious diseases.⁴

In order to help further educate adults 65 and older about pneumococcal pneumonia and the importance of adult vaccination, Pfizer will host an interactive “KnowPneumonia” booth at the Quicken Loans National (June 22 - 26 in Bethesda, MD), the Barclays (August 24 - 28 in Farmingdale, NY) and the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola (September 21 - 25 in Atlanta, GA) tournaments. Tournament attendees who visit the KnowPneumonia booth will have the chance to attend an on-site meet-and-greet with Furyk.

Adults 65 years of age and older should speak with their doctor or pharmacist about their personal risk for illnesses like pneumococcal pneumonia and check their vaccination status.

To get started, visit www.KnowPneumonia.com to learn more and take a quiz to learn more about your own personal risk for pneumococcal pneumonia.

About pneumococcal pneumonia

The most common form of bacterial pneumonia, pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious lung⁵ disease caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. It can be spread through coughing or sneezing.⁶ Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia may include fever, excessive sweating and chills, coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and chest pain.²

Additional information is available at www.KnowPneumonia.com.

About Jim Furyk

Jim is a winner of 16 professional golf tournament championships, member of 15 consecutive U.S. national teams, 4^th on the all-time career earnings list, and 6^th player in history to join the 59 Club, shooting a 59 in a competitive round at a tournament.

Pfizer Inc: Working together for a healthier world™

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¹ U.S. Open 2009. United States Golf Association. Past Champions – Jim Furyk. http://usga.usopen.com/2009/history/pastchamps/2003.html. Accessed April 11, 2016.

² Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pneumococcal disease. In: Hamborsky J, Kroger A, Wolfe C, eds. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book). 13th ed. Washington DC: Public Health Foundation; 2015:279-296. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/index.html. Accessed April 11, 2016

³ Weinberger B, Herndler-Brandstetter D, Schwanninger A, et al. Biology of immune responses to vaccines in elderly persons. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46:1078-1084

⁴ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine Information for Adults: Why vaccines are important for you. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/reasons-to-vaccinate.html. Updated April 11, 2016.

⁵ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal Disease. Symptoms & Complications.http://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/about/symptoms-complications.html. Accessed April 11, 2016.

⁶ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Risk factors & transmission. http://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/about/risk-transmission.html. Updated June 6, 2013. Accessed April 11, 2016.