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Pneumococcal Vaccine
PDF version of Pneumococcal Vaccine Information
What is pneumococcal disease?
- Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection caused by a bacteria.
- It is spread by nasal droplets, direct oral contact or through articles freshly soiled with respiratory discharge.
- Pneumococcal bacteria can cause pneumonia, infection of the brain coverings and blood infections.
- About 5% of people who get this disease will die.
- Survivors often have chronic health problems such as hearing loss, brain damage.
What does pneumococcal vaccine contain?
The vaccine contains 23 strains of purified pneumococcal capsular antigen.
Pneumo 23® contains:
- phenol, sodium chloride, disodium phosphate and monosodium phospate.
- does not contain latex.
Pneumovax® 23 contains:
- sodium chloride and phenol.
- does not contain latex.
How effective is pneumococcal?
- Most healthy persons develop protection within 3 weeks after immunization.
- Between 50% and 80% of people who have high risk conditions or who are elderly develop protection.
- May not be effective in persons with cerebrospinal fluid leak due to trauma or surgery.
How long does the protection last?
- Antibody levels begin to decrease about 5-10 years after immunization.
Who should receive the vaccine?
In Saskatchewan:
- Adults 65 years or older.
- People older than 2 years with damaged or no spleen or with sickle cell disease.
- People older than 2 years with:
- chronic heart or lung disease (except asthma)
- cirrhosis of the liver
- alcoholism
- chronic kidney disease
- HIV infection or immuno-suppression related to disease or therapy
- chronic cerebrospinal leak
- diabetes mellitus.
- Cochlear implant recipients or those who will be receiving an implant.
Who should not receive the vaccine?
- People younger than 2 years of age (vaccine may be unsafe or ineffective).
- Anyone who has had a life threatening allergic reaction to the vaccine or any of the vaccine components.
- People with Hodgkin’s disease who have received intensive chemotherapy (decreased response for first two years).
- People with moderate to severe illness may have to delay immunization.
- Use with caution in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
How is the vaccine given?
- By injection into a muscle or into the fatty layer beneath the skin.
- Do not administer in the buttocks.
- May be safely given with other vaccines.
When should pneumococcal be given?
- Usually only one dose per lifetime.
- Some people who are at very high risk are eligible for a second dose 5 years after the first (if older than 10 years, at the time of reimmunization) or 3 years after the first (if younger than 10 years at the time of reimmunization):
- damaged or no spleen
- sickle cell disease
- lowered immune response due to disease or drug/radiation therapy
- hepatic cirrhosis
- chronic renal failure or nephrotic syndrome
- If required, people should receive this vaccine at least 2 weeks before splenectomy, beginning chemotherapy or an immunosuppression treatment.
What might be felt after receiving the vaccine?
Very Common (greater than 10%)
- pain, redness and hardness at injection site.
Common (between 1% and 10%)
- headache, achiness, fever.
Very rare (less than 0.01%)
- arthus reaction, rash, blood abnormalities or relapse of known immune condition.
Call one of the numbers below if you have a serious or unusual reaction.
International Travel Centre 655-4780
North Health Centre 655-4700
Our Neighbourhood Health Centre 655-4950
South East Health Centre 655-4730
West Winds Primary Health Centre 655-4275
©2009, Saskatoon Health Region. Reproduced only by permission.
(updated August 18, 2009)
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