Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
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Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is a vaccine used to prevent Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) infections such as pneumonia and septicaemia.
Indications
In the UK it is recommended routinely for those over 65, and also for both children and adults in special risk categories:- Serious breathing problems
- Serious heart conditions
- Severe kidney problems
- Long term liver disease
- Diabetes requiring medication
- Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (e.g. chemotherapy or radio therapy, long-term steroid use, and problems with the spleen (asplenia), either because the spleen has been removed (splenectomy) or doesn’t work properly, for example, sickle cell disease).
Vaccination schedules
The 23-valent vaccine (e.g. Pneumovax II®) is only appropriate for adults and usually should only be administered once as subsequent re-injection risks severe local reactions. The exception is where immunity may be lost at a faster rate than normal (e.g. patents with asplenia or nephrotic syndrome) when repeated re-vaccination every 5-10 years is recommended.Children under the age of 2 years fail to mount an adequate response to the 23-valent adult vaccine, and instead a 7-valent conjugated vaccine (e.g. Prevenar®) must be used. Whilst this covers only 7 strains out of more than more than 90 strains, it is these strains that cause 80% to 90% of cases of severe pneumococcal disease, and it is considered to be nearly 100% effective against these strains.[Childhood Pneumococcal Disease] - information on the disease and the Prevenar vaccine, from the Victoria State (Australia) government. Includes possible side effects.
| Age | 2-6 months | 7-11 months | 12-23 months |
| Conjugated vaccine | 3 x monthly dose | 2 x monthly dose | 2 doses, 2 months apart |
| Further dose in second year of life | |||
| 23-valent vaccine | Then after 2nd birthday single dose of 23-valent | ||
Notes and references
| Vaccination/Vaccine (and Immunization, Inoculation. See also List of vaccine topics and Epidemiology) |
| Development: Models - Timeline - Toxoid - Trial Administration: ACIP - GAVI - VAERS - Vaccination schedule - VSD Specific vaccines: Anthrax - BCG - Cancer - DPT - Flu - HIV - HPV - MMR - Pneumonia - Polio - Smallpox Controversy: A-CHAMP - Anti-vaccinationists - NCVIA - Pox party - Safe Minds - Simpsonwood - Thimerosal controversy - Vaccine injury |
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