Pneumococcal Vaccine: What You Need to Know

Pneumococcal disease is a serious illness caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, that can lead to infections of the lungs (pneumonia), bloodstream (bacteremia), and brain (meningitis). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pneumococcal disease is responsible for the deaths of around 1.6 million people each year, most of whom are children under the age of five and the elderly. Fortunately, there is a pneumococcal vaccine that can help reduce the risk of infection.

Today, we’ll take a closer look at the pneumococcal vaccine, what it is, how it works, and who should get it.

What is the Pneumococcal Vaccine?

The pneumococcal vaccine is a flu-like vaccination that protects against the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, which can lead to potentially life-threatening diseases. In the United States, there are two types of pneumococcal vaccines available: the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23).

PCV13 is recommended for children under two years of age and for older adults who are at high risk of pneumococcal diseases. It contains proteins and sugars from 13 strains of the Streptococcus pneumonia bacterium that are responsible for most pneumococcal infections.

PPSV23 is recommended for all adults over the age of 65 and for people between the ages of two and 64 who have certain medical conditions, such as chronic heart or lung disease, diabetes, and smoking. It contains proteins and sugars from 23 different strains of the bacterium.

How Does the Pneumococcal Vaccine Work?

The pneumococcal vaccine works by triggering the body’s immune system to produce antibodies that fight against the bacteria responsible for pneumococcal diseases. The vaccine contains either proteins or sugars from different strains of the bacteria. Once the vaccine is given, the body will recognize and create an immune response to the proteins and sugars so that if it is exposed to the bacteria in the future, it will be ready to fight it off.

In general, the pneumococcal vaccines are very safe, and the most common side effects include soreness or redness at the injection site or a mild fever.

Who Should Get the Pneumococcal Vaccine?

As mentioned earlier, the pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for several groups of people, including:

– Children younger than two years old
– Adults 65 years old or older
– People with certain medical conditions such as chronic health or lung disease, diabetes, and smoking
– People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or undergoing chemotherapy
– Certain groups of people who are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease due to other factors, such as travel or military service

If you fall into one of these categories, talk to your healthcare provider about getting the pneumococcal vaccine.

Conclusion

Pneumococcal disease is a serious illness that can have life-threatening consequences, especially for the elderly and young children. The good news is that there is a pneumococcal vaccine that can help reduce the risk of infection. The vaccine is recommended for various groups of people, so be sure to talk to your healthcare provider to see if you should get vaccinated. By getting vaccinated, you can help protect yourself and others from these potentially deadly infections.

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