Pneumococcal vaccine
What is pneumococcus?
Pneumococcus is a bacterium, responsible for a wide group of diseases that include otitis, pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis depending on the part of the stroke affected. They are distinguished into invasive infections, which affect vital organs or the blood with very serious consequences, and noninvasive infections, which easily resolve without permanent damage.
The importance of prevention
With more than 95 immunologically distinct types, pneumococcus can cause serious consequences, particularly in the elderly population, which is more susceptible to the disease. Estimates from 2015 show that the cost of pneumococcal adverse consequences amounts to 120 million over 5 years.
The vaccine
Trade name:
Pneumovax (23-valent)
Prevenar 13 (13-valent)
Synflorix (10-valent)
In Italy, the National Vaccine Prevention Plan calls for offering pneumococcal vaccination in infants, at the 3rd,5th and 11th months. No additional booster doses are planned in subsequent years. As for the elderly population (over 65) and those at risk, pneumococcal vaccination with a first dose of conjugate vaccine (Primary) is recommended, followed at least 2 months later by a dose of polysaccharide vaccine (Booster).
There are 2 adult pneumococcal vaccines:
- primary > prevenar13
- booster > pneumovax23For the Vaxchora vaccine there is 1 dose, which can be given from 2 years of age. Vaccination should be given at least 10 days before possible exposure to the virus. A booster after 2 years would be indicated, according to recent studies.
There are three most common vaccines: the 13-valent and 10-valent, conjugate vaccines against 13 and 10 serotypes, respectively, and the 23-valent, polysaccharide vaccine against 23 serotypes that immunizes against more than 90 percent of serious infections.
It is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly.
The most common side effects are injection site pain and redness, malaise, fever, irritability, and headache.Vaccination should be postponed if a high fever is present. It should be avoided if severe allergic reactions to the vaccine or any of its components have occurred in the past. A case of invasive pneumococcal disease (in which the bacterium has entered sterile environments such as blood or spinal fluid) in the past is not a contraindication. During pregnancy and lactation, it is important to consult with a specialist to consider deferring administration.
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The information presented is general in nature, is published for general audiences and is not a substitute for the relationship between patient and physician.