Pneumococcal Vaccines Protect against Serious Bacterial Infections
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| Pneumococcal Vaccines |
Pneumococcal vaccines, also known as pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines or PPVs, help protect against infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, commonly known as pneumococcus. There are two main types of pneumococcal vaccines available—pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23).
PCV13 protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria and is routinely recommended for all children under 2 years old. It is also recommended for some older children and adults who are at higher risk. PPSV23 protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria and is routinely recommended for adults 65 years or older and others who are at higher risk. Both vaccines have been shown to be very effective at preventing pneumococcal pneumonia, bacteremia (bloodstream infections), and meningitis.
Symptoms
Pneumococcus is a common bacteria that normally lives harmlessly in the nose and throat of many healthy individuals. However, it can sometimes spread from the nose and throat to other parts of the body and cause serious diseases. The bacteria are usually spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes near others.
Common types of Pneumococcal Vaccines infections include pneumonia, which infects the lungs. Pneumonia causes symptoms like cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. Pneumococcus can also cause bacteremia, a serious bloodstream infection that can quickly become life-threatening without proper treatment with antibiotics. Other pneumococcal infections include ear infections, sinus infections, and meningitis, which involves swelling of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord. Young children and the elderly are at higher risk of pneumococcal disease due to weaker immune systems.
Suitable Recipients
The CDC recommends that the following groups receive pneumococcal vaccination:
- All children from 2 months through 5 years of age should receive PCV13. This includes 4 doses with the recommended vaccine schedule.
- All adults 65 years or older should receive PPSV23. Ideally, this should be administered once if previously vaccinated with PCV13 and at least 5 years have passed since the last dose of PCV13.
- Adults 19 through 64 years with certain medical conditions like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or alcoholism should receive PPSV23.
- Anyone 2 years or older with conditions like sickle cell disease or missing a spleen should receive PCV13 followed by PPSV23 at least 8 weeks later and a second PPSV23 5 years after.
- HIV-positive persons 2 years or older should receive PCV13 followed by PPSV23 at least 8 weeks later and repeat doses of PPSV23 according to guidelines.
- People who smoke cigarettes or live in crowded settings like dormitories may also be candidates for pneumococcal vaccination based on individual risk factors and doctor recommendations.
Benefits of Pneumococcal Vaccines
Clinical trials have conclusively shown that pneumococcal vaccines provide strong protection from pneumococcal disease. Some key benefits include:
- PCV13 has been proven effective at preventing pneumococcal pneumonia in both children and adults. One study found it reduced invasive pneumococcal disease in children by 98% after introduction in the routine immunization schedule.
- PPSV23 has been found to reduce the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia by approximately half in healthy adults 65 or older. It reduces the risk of fatal pneumococcal bacteremia even more substantially.
- Herd immunity also helps protect unvaccinated individuals as pneumococcal disease prevalence declines in communities with high vaccine uptake among at-risk groups. This includes young infants who may not complete the full PCV13 series yet.
- Widespread use of PCV13 has led to an overall decline in antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal strains through reduced circulation of vaccine serotypes. This prevents the emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant pneumococcus.
Potential side effects and safety
Like all vaccines, pneumococcal vaccines carry a slight risk of side effects, although serious complications are very rare. Common side effects reported after PCV13 or PPSV23 may include:
- Soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle or joint aches
- Loss of appetite
Most side effects are mild and go away within a few days. Severe allergic reactions are extremely unlikely, occurring in fewer than 1 in a million doses according to safety monitoring data. Overall, both PCV13 and PPSV23 are considered very safe and effective vaccines by health experts. The benefits greatly outweigh any potential risks for recommended groups.
Pneumococcal vaccines offer strong protection against life-threatening pneumococcal infections. By getting vaccinated according to CDC guidance, high-risk individuals can significantly lower their chances of developing pneumonia, bacteremia or meningitis from pneumococcus. Widespread immunization also protects community health through herd immunity. Talk to your doctor to find out if you would benefit from pneumococcal vaccination.
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