Pneumonia: when is the pneumococcal vaccine necessary?

Strepcococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a bacterium that can cause infections in various organs and, therefore, the whole group is referred to as pneumococcal disease:

  • Ear infections
  • Sinusitis (infections of the paranasal sinuses)
  • Pneumonia (infection in the lungs)
  • Bacteremia (bloodstream infection)
  • Meningitis (infection of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord)
  • Sepsis (extreme response of the body to an infection)

Now and here we will only talk about pneumonia or infection in the lungs.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

The usual symptoms are:

  • Chills and fever
  • Cough
  • Fast breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain

Pneumococcal pneumonia kills 1 in 20 adults who get it. Adults at highest risk for pneumonia are those over 65 years of age, heavy alcohol users, cigarette smokers, those with chronic heart, liver or kidney disease, those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes.

What pneumococcal vaccines are available?

There are two pneumococcal vaccines. In addition, the flu vaccine can protect against pneumococcal pneumonia because having the flu can increase the likelihood of pneumococcal pneumonia.

  • PCV13

This pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13 or Prevnar 13) protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria. It is recommended for all adults 65 years of age and older. Adults 19 years of age and older who have certain medical conditions may also need a dose of PCV13.

  • PPSV23

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23 or Pneumovax 23) protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. It is recommended for all adults 65 years of age or older and for adults 19 through 64 years of age who have certain medical conditions or who smoke cigarettes, and for these, one or two doses should be given. If one dose was given before age 65, it is recommended that a dose be given five years later.

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If both doses are administered, PCV13 should be administered first. And PPSV23 should be administered one year later, not at the same visit.

In those aged between 19 and 64 with chronic diseases (cardiac, hepatic, pulmonary, diabetes), alcoholism or smoking: 1 dose of PCV13.

In those aged 19 years or older immunosuppressed (congenital or acquired immunodeficiency), chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, generalized malignancy, iatrogenic immunosuppression (drugs or radiation therapy), transplant recipients, multiple myeloma or functional anesplenia: 1 dose of PCV13 followed by 1 dose of PPSV23 at least 8 weeks later and then a second dose of PPSV23 at least 5 years after the previous PPSV23; at age 65 years or older administer 1 dose of PPVS23 at least 5 years after the most recent PPVS23 (it is only recommended to administer 1 dose PPSV23 at age 65 years or older).

What are the risks of the pneumococcal vaccine?

Pneumococcal vaccines are safe, but there can be side effects. There may be redness, soreness and swelling at the vaccination site. Mild fever, headache, chills or muscle pain have also been reported. Life-threatening allergic reactions to any of these vaccines are very rare.