Medical Health Encyclopedia

The pneumococcal vaccine protects against S. pneumoniae (also called pneumococcal) bacteria, the most common cause of respiratory infections. There are two effective vaccines available: The 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax, Pnu-Immune) for adults and the 7-valent conjugate vaccine Prevnar (PCV7) for infants and young children. Experts are now recommending that more people, including healthy elderly people, be given the pneumococcal vaccine, particularly in light of the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. There is a great sense of urgency in the medical community to find effective measures for preventing infection.

Candidates for the Pneumococcal Vaccine

The 7-valent conjugate vaccine Prevnar (PCV7) is very effective in children. Evidence suggests that this vaccination, plus the vaccination against H. influenzae (an important cause of meningitis), has led to 30,000 fewer cases of serious bacterial infections each year.

Click the icon to see an image of Pneumoccal pneumonia.

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The pneumococcal vaccine is now recommended by many experts for the following groups:

• All children up to age two. Prevnar has now been added to the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule. The vaccine is very effective in children. Studies are suggesting that it prevents common ear infections as well as serious infections, such as pneumonia. In one study, a similar vaccine under investigation protected not only children in day care from serious respiratory infections, but their younger unvaccinated siblings had fewer infections as well.
• Children up to age five who are at risk for pneumonia or complications of influenza, such as children with sickle disease, those with immune deficiencies, or children with chronic medical conditions.
• Other children ages two to five who are higher risk for serious pneumococcal infections should be considered for vaccinations. They include African or Native Americans, children in group child care, socially or economically disadvantaged children, or those who have had frequent or complicated acute middle ear infections within the past year. (In one study, the vaccine reduced the number of ear infections episodes by 6%.)