These vaccines are not the same as aflu vaccine.
Pneumococcal vaccines protect against a pop in of bacteria, not a virus such as the flu.
Many babies or young children now get the recommended pneumococcal vaccine series.
Karl Tapales / Getty Images
This article will discuss pneumococcal disease, the available vaccines, side effects, and more.
The bacterium is transmitted from person to person.
you could acquire it from being in close contact with someone else, like from someone sneezing or coughing.
Symptoms can include:
The best way to reduce your risk of pneumococcal disease is vaccination.
Types of Pneumococcal Vaccines
There are four pneumococcal vaccines available.
Different vaccines are recommended depending on age and medical status.
What Is a Serotype?
A serotype is a variation of a bacterium or virus.
The immune system may react differently to various serotypes.
The effects in the body may also vary by serotype, producing different kinds or severity of illness.
The addition of the protein enhances the immune system’s response and memory.
Either PCV15 or PCV20 is given as a routine infant vaccination series.
It protects against 21 serotypes of pneumococcal bacteria.
Adults aged 65 and older may receive Capvaxive if they have previously been vaccinated with PCV13 and PPSV23.
PPSV23
PPSV23, known as Pneumovax 23, was approved by the FDA in 1983.
Two groups may receive PPSV23.
If an adult 19 or older receives PCV15, they should also get PPSV23.
This can help reduce transmission to those who are unvaccinated.
The PCV vaccines reduce carrying bacteria in the respiratory tract (but PPSV23 does not).
PCV15 and PCV20 are still too new to have good data on how effective they are in widespread use.
Pneumococcal vaccines should offer ongoing protection, perhaps for life.
If you do get side effects, they are typically very mild and only last a day or two.
Who Should Get the Pneumococcal Vaccine and When?
Talk with a healthcare provider about whether you need additional protection against pneumococcal disease.
You may receive a pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as a flu vaccine.
Vaccination is the best way to help prevent pneumococcal illness.
The vaccine is generally well-tolerated.
National Foundation for Infectious Disease.Pneumococcal disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manual for the surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases: chapter 11: pneumococcal.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pneumococcal vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumococcal vaccination: what everyone should know.
Food and Drug Administration.Vaxneuvance.
Food and Drug Administration.Prevnar 20.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumococcal Vaccine Safety.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Child and adolescent immunization schedule.
