PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION (PNEUMONIA)
Older adults are at greatest risk of serious illness and death.
Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacteria — commonly referred to as pneumococcus — is a common cause of pneumonia and other infections. Although pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by many different bacteria, viruses, or fungi, the pneumococcus bacteria is the most common cause of pneumonia infection.
Pneumococcal pneumonia can be life-threatening. But pneumonia isn't the only risk. Pneumococcus can infect other parts of the body too, and cause serious "invasive” disease like meningitis (bacteria in the brain and spinal cord) and bacteremia (bacteria in the blood). It can also cause sinus and ear infections.
WHO SHOULD GET THE VACCINE
Are you on the list?
The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all children under 5 years old and all adults who are at least 65 years old. Although pneumococcal disease can affect people of all ages, younger children and older adults are most at risk.
• Adults 65 years of age and older regardless of risk factors or previous pneumococcal vaccination.
• Residents of Care Facilities.
• Individuals 2 years of age and older with:
o Anatomic or non-functional spleen
o Sickle cell disease
o Immunosuppression related to disease or therapy
o Congenital immunodeficiency states
o Chronic heart or lung disease (except asthma, unless management involves ongoing high dose oral corticosteroid treatment)
o Chronic kidney or liver disease
o Solid organ, stem cell or islet cell transplant
o Diabetes
o Alcoholism
o Cystic fibrosis
o Chronic CSF leak
o Cochlear implant
o Homelessness C and/or illicit drug use
o Chronic neurological conditions that may impair clearance of oral secretions
BOOSTER DOSES
Booster doses for pneumonia are often not needed. A one time only revaccination of Pneumovax 23 should be offered 5 years after the initial immunization to those who have:
o Anatomic or non-functional spleen
o Sickle cell disease
o Immunosuppression related to disease or therapy
o Congenital immunodeficiency states
o Chronic heart or lung disease (except asthma, unless management involves ongoing high dose oral corticosteroid treatment)
o Chronic kidney or liver disease
o Solid organ, stem cell or islet cell transplant (candidate or recipient)
VACCINATIONS FOR PNEUMONIA
Pneumovax 23 vs. Prevnar 13 vs. Prevnar 20
PNEUMOVAX 23
Pneumovax 23 protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria
Pneumovax 23 is the vaccine used in adults. It does not work in infants and children under 2 years old.
Most adults do not need a pneumococcal vaccine until they reach the age of 65 unless they meet the criteria listed above before the age of 65. Once a person turns 65 years old, the CDC recommends Pneumovax 23. Studies show that one dose of Pneumovax 23 protects 50% to 85% of healthy adults against invasive pneumococcal disease.
PREVNAR 13
Prevnar 13 protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria
Prevnar 13 was developed for infants and children. The CDC recommends that all infants and children younger than 2 years of age get Prevnar 13. Prevnar 13 involves a series of four doses of the vaccine given during their childhood shots.
In some cases, the CDC recommends that adults get Prevnar 13 in addition to Pneumovax 23. If a person has any of the following conditions, they are considered at high risk for a serious pneumococcal infection, and need both vaccines:
A spleen that doesn’t work well or no spleen
Sickle cell disease or other inherited blood disorder
HIV infection
Cancer of the blood (leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, multiple myeloma)
Metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread beyond the original location)
Organ/islet cell transplantation
Anyone who takes medications that lower your immune system (including long-term steroid use and radiation therapy)
Unimmunized individuals should receive PCV13 vaccine first followed by PPV23 at least 8 weeks later. If PPV23 has already been administered, PCV13 should be administered at least one year later
PREVNAR 20
Prevnar 20 protects against 20 types of pneumococcal bacteria
Prevnar 20 is a pneumococcal vaccine that helps protect against certain diseases such as pneumonia, bacteremic pneumonia, sepsis or bacteremia and meningitis caused by 20 types of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. Prevnar 20 is not indicated to reduce complications of pneumococcal pneumonia, including hospitalizations.
Adults 50+ were observed to be at increased risk in studies Adults 18+ with one of these conditions were observed to be at increased risk in studies:
• Diabetes • Smoking • Chronic Heart Disease • Chronic Lung Disease • Cancer • Chronic liver disease • Alcoholism • Certain neurological conditions • Living in long-term care facilities
Prevnar 20 and Prevnar 13 work similarly to protect you against pneumococcal disease. But Prevnar 13 protects against 13 strains of pneumococcus, whereas Prevnar 20 protects against 20 strains. The manufacturer states that the 7 additional strains in Prevnar 20 account for roughly 40% of all U.S. pneumococcal disease cases and deaths.
THE SPREAD IS UNPREDICTABLE
Let's Get You Covered
Pneumonia, mainly caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, is transmitted by direct oral contact or indirect contact with respiratory secretions or droplets of infected persons. A person can still transmit the infection usually until 24 hours following appropriate antibiotic treatment.