Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. It can lead to:
Streptococcus pneumoniae is spread by person to person contact.
There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines:
The vaccines are made from inactivated bacteria. It is given by injection under the skin or into the muscle. The goal of getting a vaccine is that later, when you are exposed to the bacteria, you will not get sick from it.
The PCV is routinely given in four doses at 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months.
If your child has not been vaccinated or missed a dose, talk to the doctor. Depending on your child's age, he may need additional doses. Also, an additional dose may be needed if your child:
The PPSV is given to adults aged 65 and older.
PPSV is also given to anyone aged 2 to 64 who has certain conditions, such as:
PPSV is also given to anyone aged 2 to 64 who is taking a drug or treatment that lowers the body's ability to resist infection, such as:
The vaccine should be given at least 2 weeks before cancer treatment begins.
PPSV should also be given to any adult aged 19 to 64 years old who:
In some cases, a second dose of PPSV may be needed. For example, another dose after five years may be needed for people aged 19-64 years who have conditions like chronic renal failure or HIV/AIDS. A second dose is also recommended at age 65 for people who received a dose previously
Side effects include redness, tenderness, or swelling at the injection site. Fever is also a risk. Drowsiness and loss of appetite occur in some children. Fussiness can also occur. Generally, all vaccines have a very small risk of serious problems.
Acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol) is sometimes given to reduce pain and fever that may occur after getting a vaccine. In infants, the medicine may weaken the vaccine's effectiveness. Discuss the risks and benefits of taking acetaminophen with the doctor.
Half of the people who get the vaccine have mild side effects. These may include redness or pain at the injection site. Less than 1% will develop a fever, muscle aches, or more severe local reactions. In rare cases, severe allergic reactions and other serious problems occur. However, developing the disease is much more likely to cause serious problems than getting the vaccine.
Your child should not receive the PCV if he:
You should not receive the PPSV if you:
In the event of an outbreak, all people who are eligible for a vaccine should receive it.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org/
Vaccines & Immunizations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
Baker CJ, Pickerling LK, Chilton L, et al; Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Recommended adult immunization schedule: United States, 2011. Ann Intern Med . 1 Feb 2011. 154(3):168-173.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended immunization schedules for persons aged 0-18 years —United States, 2012. MMWR 2012;61(5).
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-pcv.pdf . Update April 16, 2010. Accessed December 12, 2012.
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-ppv.pdf . Updated October 2009. Accessed December 12, 2012.
Pneumococcal: understanding the disease. National Network for Immunization Information website. Available at: http://www.immunizationinfo.org/vaccines/pneumococcal-disease . Updated March 31, 2010. Accessed December 12, 2012.
Recommended adult immunization schedule—United States, 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep . 2012;6(4). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov... . Accessed December 12, 2012.
Vaccine information for the public and health professionals—pneumoccocal vaccine: questions and answers. Immunization Action Coalition website. Available at: http://www.vaccineinformation.org/pneumchild/qandavax.asp . Updated November 2012. Accessed December 12, 2012.
Vaccine information statement: pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-pcv.pdf . Updated April 16, 2010. Accessed December 12, 2012.
1/31/2008 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended immunization schedules for persons aged 0-18 years—United States, 2008. MMWR. 2008;57;Q1-Q4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5701a8.htm . Updated January 10, 2008. Accessed January 28, 2008.
10/30/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Prymula R, Siegrist C, Chlibek R, et al. Effect of prophylactic paracetamol administration at time of vaccination on febrile reactions and antibody responses in children: two open-label, randomised controlled trials. Lancet . 2009;374(9698):1339.
9/17/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated recommendations for prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease among adults using the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010;59(34):1102-1106.
1/7/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php
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Nuorti J, Whitney C, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of pneumococcal disease among infants and children—use of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
. 2010;59(34):1102.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Updated recommendations for prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease among adults using the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23).
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.
2010;59(34):1102-1106.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Licensure of a 13-Valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and recommendations for use among children.
MMWR Recomm Rep
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Last reviewed December 2012 by Brian Randall, MD
Last Updated: 12/12/2012