Pneumococcal and Vaccination

                                                        Pneumococcal Disease

Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. There are different types of pneumococcal disease, such as pneumococcal pneumonia, blood infections, brain infections and middle ear infections. Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable illness and death in the United States.Pneumococcus bacteria is in many people's noses and throats and is spread by coughing, sneezing, or contact with respiratory secretions.

Symptoms:

Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath, Chest pain, Stiff neck, FeverMental confusion and disorientation, Visual sensitivity to light. In some cases, it can result in long-term problems, like brain damage, deafness, and limb loss. 

Who gets Pneumococcal disease?

Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but some people are at greater risk than others:People 65 years and older, Very young children, People with certain health problems, People with a weakened immune system, Smokers, Adults with asthma.

Vaccination:

There are currently two types of pneumococcal vaccines:
1. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) 2. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). 

1. PCV13:

FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN

PCV13 is recommended as a series of four doses, one dose at each of these ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and12 through 15 months
Children who miss their shots at these ages should still get the vaccine. The number of doses and the intervals between doses will depend on the child’s age.

FOR ADULTS

One dose of PCV13 is recommended for adults 19 years and older with the following medical conditions that put them at high risk for pneumococcal disease:

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
leaks Cochlear implant
Sickle cell disease and other hemaglobinopathies
Functional or anatomic
asplenia Congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies
HIV infection
Chronic renal failure
Nephrotic syndrome
LeukemiaHodgkin's disease
Generalized malignancy
Long-term immunosuppressive therapy
Solid organ transplant
Multiple myeloma

Adults with one of the above listed conditions who have not received any pneumococcal vaccine, should get a dose of PCV13 first and should also continue to receive the recommended doses of PPSV23.

2. PPSV23:

FOR CHILDREN, PRE-TEENS, TEENS, AND ADULTS

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria, including those most likely to cause serious disease.Most healthy adults who get the vaccine develop protection to most or all of these types within two to three weeks of getting the shot. Very old people and people with some long-term illnesses might not respond as well, or at all.  

One dose of PPSV23 is recommended for:

All adults 65 years of age and older

Anyone two through 64 years of age who has a long- term health problem such as: heart disease, lung disease, sickle cell disease diabetes alcoholism cirrhosis leaks of cerebrospinal fluid or cochlear implant

Anyone two through 64 years of age who has a disease or condition that lowers the body’s resistance to infection, such as: Hodgkin’s disease, lymphoma or leukemia, kidney failure, multiple myeloma, nephrotic syndrome, HIV infection or AIDS, damaged spleen, or no spleen, organ transplant

Anyone two through 64 years of age who is taking a drug or treatment that lowers the body’s resistance of infection, such as: long-term steroids, certain cancer drugs, radiation therapy

Any adult 19 through 64 years of age who is a smoker or has asthma
People two through 64 years of age with certain chronic health conditions may be recommended to receive a second dose, five years after their first dose.