Pneumonia vaccine how does it work

This form can be treated with antibiotics. Your doctor can test to see what form of pneumonia you have. Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have and the severity of your symptoms. But, the best defense is vaccination. Anyone at any age can get pneumonia, but healthier, younger patients tend to recover more quickly. Adults over age 65, those with certain medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD , patients who have undergone chemotherapy, organ transplant or have HIV or AIDS, are all at greater risk.

Additionally, smokers, heavy drinkers of alcohol, and patients recovering from a serious surgery or illness are also more prone to develop pneumonia. Who should get the pneumonia vaccine? While there is no such thing as pneumonia season, it tends to be more prevalent in the winter.

I follow the recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. First of all, there are two types of pneumococcal vaccines available in the United States. PCV13 pneumococcal conjugate vaccine protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria.

This vaccine is used to protect infants and young children, older children with certain medical conditions and for all adults over age A single dose of PCV13 is recommended for adults over age 19 years who have a weakened immune system due to HIV infection, organ transplant, leukemia, lymphoma and kidney disease.

PPSV23 pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine , which helps protect you from 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria, is normally given to adults over age 65 and children over age two who may be at high risk for pneumonia. Invasive disease is usually very serious and can sometimes result in death. It provided protection against infections caused by 7 types serotypes of pneumococcal bacteria.

Studies showed PCV7 was highly effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease caused by serotypes included in the vaccine vaccine serotypes in young children. In a California study, PCV7 protected more than 9 in 10 babies from invasive disease caused by vaccine serotypes. The children who got the vaccine also had fewer ear infections and fewer ear tubes placed. The study also showed the vaccine prevented pneumonia in children.

The vaccine also prevented antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal infections caused by vaccine serotypes. Another study showed that receiving at least one shot of PCV13 protects 4 in 5 babies from invasive disease caused by vaccine serotypes. This protection was similar among children with and without medical conditions that put them at increased risk of pneumococcal disease. The vaccine is also effective at preventing antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal infections caused by vaccine serotypes.

Unvaccinated people of all ages, including babies too young to get the vaccine, have seen decreases in disease. Rates of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by some serotypes not in PCV7 increased between and However, these increases were small compared to the decreases in serotypes in the vaccine.

Also, PCV13 covers the main serotypes that caused the increases. Experts estimate PCV13 prevented more than 30, cases of invasive pneumococcal disease and 3, deaths in its first 3 years of use.

A study in the Netherlands included approximately 85, adults 65 years or older. In this study, PCV13 protected 3 in 4 of those vaccinated against invasive pneumococcal disease caused by vaccine serotypes. PCV13 also protected 9 in 20 vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia caused by vaccine serotypes. Studies show PPSV23 protects between 10 to 17 in 20 adults with healthy immune systems against invasive disease caused by vaccine serotypes. These diseases have recently become resistant to these medicines.

PCV can prevent some ear infections. But ear infections have many causes and PCV only works to prevent some of them. Your child may still have ear infections, even after getting a PCV shot. PPV has not been studied in pregnant women. There is no evidence that the vaccine is harmful to either the mother or the baby.

Pregnant women should talk with a doctor about getting the medicine. Women who are at high risk of pneumococcal disease should have the shot before becoming pregnant, if possible. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn How this information was developed. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. All rights reserved. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. How It Works Pneumococcal vaccines are given to protect people from becoming infected with the pneumococcus bacteria.

Why It Is Used Pneumococcus is a type of bacteria that can cause severe infections, such as pneumonia , meningitis , and blood infections sepsis.