Pneumonia and Pneumococcal Vaccine

What is Pneumococcal Pneumonia?

Pneumococcal pneumonia is an acute infection caused by the bacteria, streptococcus pneumoniae.  The disease is spread by direct oral contact or by indirect contact with respiratory discharge.  The infection is more prevalent in winter and early spring.

Pneumonia symptoms generally include a sudden onset of fever, shaking chills, pleural (chest) pain, shortness of breath and productive cough.

What is Pneumococcal Vaccine?

Pneumococcal Vaccine (Pneumovax 23) is a sterile mixture of purified (inactivated) polysaccharides from 23 types of streptococcus pneumoniae.  Pneumococcal vaccine is indicated for immunization to protect against the 23 most prevalent or invasive types of S. pneumoniae.

Pneumococcal vaccine is indicated for those groups of individuals at increased risk of becoming extremely ill with pneumonia including:

• All adults 65 years and older.
• Anyone with chronic lung or heart disease (not asthma, unless indicated by their doctor).
• Immunocompromised adults and children.
• Those diagnosed with chronic illnesses including HIV, sickle cell, asplenia (those without a spleen), lymphoma, multiple myeloma, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, and alcoholism.
• Special groups or environments such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Possible Vaccine Side Effects:

• Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site.
• Rare side effects include low grade fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle soreness, rash and achy joints, or anaphylaxis.

Precautions:

• Moderate or severe illness, with or without fever.
• Because the vaccine's safety in pregnancy or nursing mothers has not been evaluated, it should only be used if clearly indicated.
• For persons with bleeding disorders, it is important to consider alternatives to intramuscular vaccination.  Vaccine may be given subcutaneously.
• At least 2 weeks should elapse between immunization and the initiation of radiation, chemotherapy, or immunosuppressive therapy.  Also 2 weeks prior to elective splenectomy.
• Immunosuppressed persons may have an impaired antibody response to the vaccine.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to components of vaccine, including thimerosal, or phenol.

The vaccine is given as a one-time dose; however, for certain high-risk groups a booster dose could be considered after 6 years.

Source: 1) Merck & Co, Manufacturerâs handout, March 1998.
2) Control of Communicable Diseases of Man, 1995.
3) Travel & Routine Immunizations 1999.