The Pneumococcal Vaccine (PCV) protects against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections. It's also known as the pneumonia vaccine. Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to pneumonia, blood poisoning (sepsis), and meningitis.
There are two vaccines available to protect children from pneumococcal disease. Only one of the vaccines, PCV13, is considered safe for children under the age of 2.
This vaccine is important because infants and very young children are at higher risk for several dangerous infections, including pneumonia and bacterial meningitis. Some older children may also need to be treated with PCV 13.
Doctors give this vaccine to children at months 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months. Older children also receive this vaccine, if needed.
This vaccine helps to protect against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria that can cause serious infections in children and adults.
What Is pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus. People can be infected with the bacteria, or they can carry it in their throat without feeling ill. Those carriers can still spread it, mostly in droplets from their nose or mouth when they breathe, cough, or sneeze.
Depending on what organ or part of the body is infected, pneumococcal disease can cause several serious illnesses, including:
bacterial meningitis, an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord that can lead to confusion, coma, and death as well as other physical effects, such as blindness or paralysis;
pneumonia, an infection of the lungs that causes cough, fever, and difficulty breathing;
otitis media, a middle ear infection that can cause pain, swelling, sleeplessness, fever, and irritability;
bacteremia, a dangerous infection of the blood stream; and
sinus infections.
How safe is the PCV 13 vaccine?
According to scientific research and studies, the vaccine is very safe. However, as with any medicine, there is always the possibility of risks, such as an allergic reaction. But, with PCV (the vaccine recommended for young children) and PPSV (the vaccine for adults and older children), the risk of serious harm or death is extremely small.
In studies involving nearly 60,000 doses of the PCV vaccine, there have been no moderate or severe reactions.
The mild side effects included:
redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot is given in about a quarter of infants;
fever higher than 38 degrees Celsius in about one third of infants; and
occasional incidents of fussiness, drowsiness, or loss of appetite.
Where can I find these vaccines?
PCV 13 is part of the routine childhood immunization schedule. Therefore, it is regularly available for children at:
pediatric and family practice offices;
community health clinics; and
Public health departments.
Vaccine dosage
Healthy children younger than age 2 should get 4 doses of the vaccine on this schedule:
one dose at 2 months of age
one dose at 4 months of age
one dose at 6 months of age
one dose at 12 to 15 months of age
Take home message
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13): Is given as a shot to children and adults. It helps prevent pneumococcal disease. It also helps prevent the spread of the infection from person to person. The vaccine’s protection lasts at least 3 years.
The most serious pneumococcal infections happen during the first 2 years of life. This means that the vaccine protects children when they are at the greatest risk.
This article is written by Dr. Itumeleng Buti (MBChB)
References
1. Schaffer SJ, Szilagyi PG, Shone LP, Ambrose SJ, Dunn MK, Barth RD, Edwards K, Weinberg GA, Balter S, Schwartz B. Physician perspectives regarding pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Pediatrics. 2002 Dec 1;110(6):e68-.
2. Joseph Sling. WebMed. Pneumococcal Vaccine. [Internet] WebMed. [ Updated 2022 January 20; Cited 2022 April 13] Available from: https://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/pneumococcal-vaccine-1.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know. [Internet] Cited; 2022 April 13. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/public/index.html.
4. FamilyDoctor.Org. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine: What Parents Needs to Know. [ Internet] [ Updated 2021 August: Cited 2022 April 14] Available from: https://familydoctor.org/pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccine-parent-needs-know/
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