Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection that can affect your lungs, brain, blood, and ears. It can cause pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, and ear infections. It can also lead to complications such as deafness, brain damage, and death.
Pneumococcal disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. There are many types of pneumococcal bacteria. Some of them are more common and severe than others.
Pneumococcal disease is more likely to affect young children, older adults, and people with certain medical conditions that weaken their immune systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pneumococcal disease kills about 1.5 million people every year, mostly children under five years old.
The good news is that you can prevent pneumococcal disease by getting vaccinated. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines:
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Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV):
These vaccines protect against 7, 13, 15, or 20 different types of pneumococcal bacteria. They are given to infants and children as a series of shots. They can also be given to adults who have a high risk of pneumococcal disease.
-
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV):
This vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. It is given to adults who are 65 years or older or who have certain medical conditions.
In this article, you will learn:
- Who should get pneumococcal vaccine
- What are the benefits of pneumococcal vaccine
- What are the latest updates on pneumococcal vaccine
- How to get pneumococcal vaccine
Who Should Get Pneumococcal Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends pneumococcal vaccination for the following groups of people:
| Age Group | Vaccine Type | Number of Doses |
|---|---|---|
| Infants and children younger than 2 years old | PCV13 or PCV15 | Four doses at 2, 4, 6, and 12 through 15 months of age |
| Children 2 through 4 years old who have not received PCV13 or PCV15 or who have received an incomplete series | PCV13 or PCV15 | One dose |
| Children 2 through 5 years old who have certain medical conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease | PCV13 or PCV15 and PPSV23 | Two doses of PCV13 or PCV15 and one dose of PPSV23 |
| Adults 65 years or older | PCV13 or PCV15 and PPSV23 | One dose of PCV13 or PCV15 and one dose of PPSV23 at least one year apart |
| Adults 19 through 64 years old who have certain medical conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease | PCV13 or PCV15 and PPSV23 | One dose of PCV13 or PCV15 and one or two doses of PPSV23 depending on their condition |
Some of the medical conditions that increase the risk of pneumococcal disease include:
- Cerebrospinal fluid leak
- Cochlear implant
- Chronic heart disease
- Chronic lung disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- Chronic renal failure or nephrotic syndrome
- Congenital or acquired immunodeficiency
- Congenital or acquired asplenia or splenic dysfunction
- Phagocytic disorder
- HIV infection
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Generalized malignancy
- Solid organ transplant
- Iatrogenic immunosuppression
If you are not sure if you or your child need pneumococcal vaccines, you can check with your doctor or nurse.
What Are the Benefits of Pneumococcal Vaccine?
Pneumococcal vaccines can protect you from getting sick from pneumococcal bacteria. They can also reduce the severity of the infection if you do get sick. Pneumococcal vaccines can prevent serious complications such as deafness, brain damage, and death.
Pneumococcal vaccines can also help prevent the spread of pneumococcal bacteria to others. This can protect people who are not vaccinated or who have a weak immune system.
What Are the Latest Updates on Pneumococcal Vaccine?
Pneumococcal vaccines are constantly being improved to provide better protection against more types of pneumococcal bacteria. Here are some of the latest updates on pneumococcal vaccines as of 2023:
- India launched its first fully indigenous pneumococcal vaccine called Pneumosil in December 2020. The vaccine was developed by the Serum Institute of India in collaboration with PATH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Pneumosil has a unique composition based on the serotype prevalence in India and is expected to reduce the mortality rate and improve the public health care system in the country.
- A new study published in Blood Advances showed that pneumococcal vaccines have reduced the rates of invasive pneumococcal infection (IPD) among children with sickle cell disease (SCD) by 80% to 87% in September 2023. SCD is a genetic disorder that affects the red blood cells and increases the risk of pneumococcal disease. The study analyzed data from the Georgia Emerging Infections Program and found that pneumococcal vaccines have been effective in preventing life-threatening infections in children with SCD.
- A survey conducted by Pfizer revealed that healthcare providers face challenges with following the current adult pneumococcal vaccine recommendations in September 2023. The survey found that 38% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that the recommendations were easy to follow. The survey also found that healthcare providers value pneumococcal vaccination and want more guidance and education on how to implement the recommendations.
How to Get Pneumococcal Vaccine?
Pneumococcal vaccines are safe and effective. They are available at most healthcare providers, pharmacies, and clinics. You can use the CDC’s Vaccine Finder tool to find a location near you that offers pneumococcal vaccines. Just enter your zip code or city and state and select “Pneumonia” from the drop-down menu.
Pneumococcal vaccines are covered by most health insurance plans. You can also get them for free or at a low cost through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program if you are eligible. The VFC program provides vaccines for children who are:
- Younger than 19 years old
- Medicaid-eligible
- Uninsured
- Underinsured
- American Indian or Alaska Native
Conclusion
Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, and ear infections. It can also lead to complications such as deafness, brain damage, and death.
You can prevent pneumococcal disease by getting vaccinated. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines: PCV and PPSV. They protect against different types of pneumococcal bacteria.
The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for infants, children, and adults who are at risk of pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal vaccines can reduce the incidence and severity of pneumococcal disease and prevent its complications.
Pneumococcal vaccines are constantly being improved and updated to provide better protection against more types of pneumococcal bacteria. Pneumococcal vaccines are available at most healthcare providers, pharmacies, and clinics. They are also covered by most health insurance plans or by the VFC program.
If you want to learn more about pneumococcal vaccines, you can talk to your doctor or nurse. Remember, pneumococcal vaccines can save your life or your child’s life. Get vaccinated today!
