Style
Full-width
III. Importance of Pneumococcal Vaccines
Style
articles,pl-20, blue-bg-page

The right vaccine matters:IPD and the Pneumococcal Vaccines.

Pneumococcal disease is a general term for any infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus. Pneumococcal infections can range from mild ear and sinus infections to more serious infections, such as pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections.1

Invasive Pneumococcal Disease

Some pneumococcal infections are considered "invasive." This means that the bacteria spreads to parts of the body that are normally germ-free, such as the bloodstream or the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is often very severe and can require hospitalization. In some cases, it can even be fatal. Meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia (with bacteremia) and osteomyelitis are considered invasive types of pneumococcal infection. 2,3

The illustration below depicts the different types of infection an individual may acquire due to Streptococcus pneumoniae.3

Pneumococcal vaccines

There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines: conjugate vaccines (PCVs) and polysaccharide vaccines (PPSVs). Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV) are both designed to protect against infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, they differ in several ways:

PCV
(Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)
PPSV
(Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine)
Composition4
  • A combination of sugars from the outer coating of the pneumococcal bacteria which are attached to a protein?
  • A combination of sugars from the outer coating of a pneumococcal bacteria WITHOUT a protein
Target age groups2,4,5
  • Primarily recommended for infants and young children 5 years of age or younger. Multiple doses are given during the first year of life, and booster shots may be needed in some cases.
  • Adults 65 years old and above, and some adults with certain medical conditions in conjunction with PPSV
  • May also be given to healthy adults in conjunction with PPSV
  • Typically recommended for elderly
  • Adults especially those at higher risk of pneumococcal infections due to underlying health conditions
  • Given in conjunction with PCV
Immune response2,6,7
  • Stimulates a stronger immune response.
  • Routine infant vaccination with PCVs reduced nasal carriage and transmission of the bacteria thereby preventing invasive pneumococcal disease.
  • The immune response generated by PPSV may not be as strong in children younger than 2 years of age.

What you can do

  • The best way to protect your child from pneumococcal disease is to make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations. Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for all children under the age of 5.2 If you have any concerns about your child's vaccination status, talk to your doctor.
  • For adults, the appropriate vaccines depend on age, risk factors, and individual health conditions. Healthcare providers can help determine the most appropriate vaccine for a person's specific situation.
  • You can also help to reduce the spread of pneumococcus by practicing good hygiene, such as washing your hands often and covering your coughs and sneeze.

REFERENCES:

  1. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal Disease. Accessed September 2023 from https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/index.html
  2. Gierke R, Wodi AP, Kobayashi M. 2021. Pinkbook: Pneumococcal disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 2023 from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/pneumo.html.
  3. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Types of Pneumococcal Disease. Accessed September 2023 https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/about/infection-types.html
  4. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.2022. About Pneumococcal vaccines| For Providers. Accessed September 2023 from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/hcp/about-vaccine.html.
  5. Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Disease. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Adult Immunization 2018. Accessed September 2023. From https://www.psmid.org/clinical-practice-guidelines-for-adult-immunization-2018/.
  6. Vadlamudi, N. K., et.al. 2019. Immunogenicity and safety of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine compared to 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide in immunocompetent adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vaccine, 37(8), 10211029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.01.014
  7. Oliveira, G. S., et.al. 2021. Pneumococcal Vaccines: Past Findings, Present Work, and Future Strategies. Vaccines, 9(11), 1338. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9111338