What To Know About The Pneumococcal Vaccine
Who needs it: The CDC recommends one pneumococcal vaccine for adults 19 to 64 with certain risk factors . If you work around chronically ill people say, in a hospital or nursing home you should get the vaccine, even if you’re healthy. People 65 and older can discuss with their health care provider whether they should get PCV13 if they haven’t previously received a dose. A dose of PPSV23 is recommended for those 65 and older, regardless of previous inoculations with pneumococcal vaccines.
How often: Space immunizations out. You should receive a dose of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine , then, a year later, a dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine . People with any of the risk factors should get one dose of PCV13 and PPSV23 before age 65, separated by eight weeks.
Why you need it: Pneumococcal disease, which can cause pneumonia, kills around 3,000 people a year. Young children and those over 65 have the highest incidence of serious illness, and older adults are more likely to die from it.
Editors note: This article was published on Oct. 26, 2020. It was updated in September 2021 with new information.
Also of Interest
Its Hard To Know How Many People Will Have A Breakthrough Infection
Because most people are not tested regularly for COVID-19, its hard to determine how many breakthroughs will occur. Plus, it is likely that many of those who are vaccinated and become infected with the COVID-19 virus have little or no symptoms.
Think of it this way: If youre vaccinated for COVID-19 and get infected with the virus, but thanks to your vaccine you have no symptoms and never get tested, youll never know.
But, we are learning that even vaccinated people can harbor the virus in their noses and throats and shed it, possibly infecting others. Thats why vaccinated as well as unvaccinated people are being encouraged to wear masks inside public places where transmission rates are high.
The delta variant leads to a lot more virus being present in peoples upper respiratory systemeven those who are vaccinated. But they may not know it, Dr. Wohl says. This is why masking is really important now, during this surge. Since the vaccinated are really unlikely to become sick if they catch the COVID-19 virus, they can still pass it on unwittingly.
Give Now To The Sun’s Nhs Appeal
BRITAINs four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www.thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
- GOT a story? Ring The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or email .
Recommended Reading: Tdap Shot At Cvs
Other Types Of Pneumococcal Disease
Pneumonia vaccines protect against pneumococcal infections in other parts of the body. These infections include:
Otitis media
-
What is it: An infection in the middle part of the ear.
-
Symptoms: Fever, ear pain, and decreased hearing
-
Who gets it: In the U.S., over 5 million children get it each year. Pneumococcus is a common cause of ear infections. It is found in up to 30% of samples of middle ear fluid.
Sinusitis
-
What is it: A sinus infection, which is often first caused by a virus. Later, a bacterial infection can set in, causing worsening or ongoing symptoms.
-
Symptoms: Pain and pressure around the eyes and nose, fever, drainage, and congestion
-
Who gets it: Sinus infections are more common in adults than in children. Pneumococcus is a common cause and may contribute to up to 35% of sinus infections.
Meningitis
-
What is it: An infection of the leptomeninges, or the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be life-threatening, so getting immediate treatment is important.
-
Symptoms: Fever, confusion, headache, and neck stiffness
-
Who gets it: Pneumococcal meningitis usually occurs in very young children and older adults. In the U.S., pneumococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children under age 5.
Bacteremia
These infections can also be caused by other bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Pneumococcus, the pneumococcal vaccines, is only one cause.
Is Having The Vaccine Compatible With My Religion
Religious leaders and organisations across the world have accepted and endorsed the coronavirus vaccines to encourage as many communities as possible to have the coronavirus vaccine when they are offered it.
The British Islamic Medical Association has recommended the use of both the Pfizer/BioNTech and the Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccines for eligible people in Muslim communities. The approved coronavirus vaccines do not contain any animal products and are halal.
Christian leaders have come out in support of the COVID-19 vaccines.
The BBC has produced a coronavirus vaccine Q& A in five South Asian languages: Gujarati, Punjabi, Sylheti, Tamil and Urdu.
You May Like: Can I Get A Tdap Shot At Cvs
How Does It Compare To Other Pneumococcal Vaccines
Like Prevnar 20, Prevnar 13 is a conjugate vaccine that works in a similar way to protect you against pneumococcal disease. Pneumovax 23, on the other hand, is a polyvalent vaccine that works by producing antibodies against pneumococcal bacteria.
No vaccine is 100% effective at preventing disease, but all three pneumococcal vaccines Prevnar 13, Prevnar 20, and Pneumovax 23 are considered safe and effective for helping protect against pneumococcal disease. And this latest FDA approval demonstrates ongoing pneumococcal vaccine development, with more candidates currently in the pipeline.
Lets review some key differences between the vaccines.
How Is Pneumonia Diagnosed
Doctors diagnose pneumonia mainly by talking to the person who is unwell and examining them.
Tests for pneumonia include blood samples, a swab from inside the nose or throat, urine or sputum to try to identify the cause of the pneumonia. A chest x-ray is usually also taken. If you are in hospital, doctors will also monitor to see if there is enough oxygen in your blood.
Also Check: Does Cvs Do Tdap Shots
Can The Shots Cause Pneumonia Or Make You Sick
No. The pneumonia vaccines dont contain live bacteria, so they cant cause an infection. They wont cause pneumonia or other pneumococcal diseases. If you dont feel well after your vaccine, you should discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider to find out whether they are related to the vaccine or caused by another illness.
Complications Of Pneumonia Caused By Covid
Because pneumonia causes the alveoli in the lungs to fill with pus and fluid, breathing can be painful and difficult.
Pneumonia can cause serious health complications, including:
Because COVID-19 attacks the lungs, it would make sense that having COVID-19 would cause lung complications. As of yet, not enough data are available to support this conclusion.
However, as noted above, research does show that COVID-19 can cause severe illness, including pneumonia that can be fatal. A 2020 study by the CDC found that among a group of people with COVID-19, about 70% had complications from pneumonia. Also, people with COVID-19 were twice as likely to get pneumonia compared to people with the flu.
Regarding long-lasting complications from COVID-19, it is still too soon to say for sure whether “long-haulers” are more likely to have underlying chronic medical conditions.
Recommended Reading: Cvs Tdap
Why Do Some People Still Get Covid After Being Vaccinated
Vaccines arent magic barriers. They dont kill the virus or pathogen they target.
Rather, vaccines stimulate a persons immune system to create antibodies. These antibodies are specific against the virus or pathogen for the vaccine and allows the body to fight infection before it takes hold and causes severe disease.
However, some people wont have a strong enough immune response to the vaccine and may still be susceptible to developing COVID-19 if exposed to the virus.
How a person responds to a vaccine is impacted by a number of host factors, including our age, gender, medications, diet, exercise, health and stress levels.
Its not easy to tell who hasnt developed a strong enough immune response to the vaccine. Measuring a persons immune response to a vaccine is not simple and requires detailed laboratory tests.
And while side effects from the vaccine indicate youre having a response, the absence of symptoms doesnt mean youre having a weak response.
It also takes time for the immune system to respond to vaccines and produce antibodies. For most two-shot vaccines, antibody levels rise and then dip after the first dose. These antibodies are then boosted after the second.
But youre not optimally covered until your antibody levels rise after the second dose.
Doctors Say Vaccinated And Unvaccinated Cases Differ In Severity With Omicron
But many doctors say that the biggest difference vaccinated and unvaccinated people experience with Omicron isn’t the type of symptomsit’s the severity of symptoms. Peter Chin-Hong, MD, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, told NBC-affiliate KSN in Wichita, Kansas, that vaccinated and boosted people appear to have less severe symptoms that also last for a shorter amount of time.
According to Chin-Hong, unvaccinated people will likely see symptoms for five or more days, while those who are fully vaccinated might only have symptoms for one or two days. “There is little systematic data so far, but I expect that many vaccinated and especially boosted folks are experiencing very mild symptoms,” he said, adding that there is also a “higher proportion of vaccinated folks who have no symptoms.”
Recommended Reading: Tdap Shots Cvs
When To See A Doctor
A person who is over 65 years of age should talk to their doctor about which pneumonia vaccine may be best for them. The doctor can help determine whether they should get the vaccination, which vaccination to get, and when to get it.
Parents and caregivers of young children should talk to a pediatrician about the schedule for the pneumonia vaccination. The pediatrician can also address any questions or concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccination.
A person does not need to see a doctor for mild reactions to the vaccine, such as tenderness at the injection site, fever, or fatigue.
However, if a person experiences any life threatening side effects, they should seek emergency help immediately.
Signs and symptoms of allergic reactions in children may include:
- respiratory distress, such as wheezing
Do You Need To Get Both Vaccines
Most people do not, but some may, depending on age and other health conditions.
Children
All healthy children should get PCV13, and children with certain health conditions should also receive PPSV23. When both vaccines are needed, they are given 8 weeks apart, and PCV13 is given first.
Adults aged 65 and over
All adults aged 65 and older should get PPSV23. If you are a healthy adult over 65, you should talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need PCV13.
PCV13 used to be recommended for all adults over age 65, but the ACIP recently changed its recommendations. This is because, as more children have been vaccinated with PCV13, the types of pneumococci that this vaccine protects against are less likely to spread and infect older adults. PCV13 can still be given, and your healthcare provider can help you decide if it is right for you.
Adults younger than 65
For adults younger than 65, PPSV23 is recommended in certain situations. If you smoke or have a chronic illness, like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , or liver disease, you should get PPSV23 at a younger age. Adults with other conditions, like a weakened immune system, should have both vaccines before age 65.
Read Also: Does Cvs Give Tetanus Shots
Who Should Get The Pneumonia Vaccine
The pneumonia vaccine recommendations from the CDC are for all children younger than 2 years old and all adults 65 years or older.
In other situations, children and adults should also get pneumococcal vaccines such as people with weakened immune systems, people who smoke, heavy drinkers, or people getting over surgery or a severe illness.
What About Future Variants
So far, the preliminary data shows our current vaccines are effective at protecting against circulating variants.
But as the virus mutates, there is increasing chance of viral escape. This means there is a greater chance the virus will develop mutations that make it fitter against, or more easily able to evade, vaccinations.
Scientist are closely monitoring to ensure our current and/or future vaccines are effective against the circulating strains.
To help the fight against COVID-19 the best thing we can do is minimise the spread of the virus. This means get vaccinated when you can, ensure you maintain social distancing when required and get tested if you have any symptoms.
Read Also: Does Cvs Do Tetanus Shots
Pneumonia Can Be Preventedvaccines Can Help
Some patients with coronavirus disease 2019 have had pneumonia. Learn more about COVID-19.
Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, needlessly affects millions of people worldwide each year.
Pneumonia can often be prevented and can usually be treated.
Lower your risk of pneumonia with vaccines and other healthy living practices.
CDC data showed that in the United States during 2018:
- 1.5 million people were diagnosed with pneumonia in an emergency department
- Approximately 44,000 people died from pneumonia
Most of the people affected by pneumonia in the United States are adults. Vaccines and appropriate treatment could prevent many of these deaths.
Read Our Coronavirus Live Blog For The Latest News & Updates
Today, Dr Hilary Health Editor for both ITVs Good Morning Britain and Lorraine tells Emma Pietras why its no use taking antihistamines to beat the virus and what certain pre-existing conditions can mean for you in the current situation.
He also explains why we need to keep respecting social distancing.
Q. I have had the pneumonia vaccine. Does that give us any protection against Covid-19?
A. Im afraid it doesnt. It specifically protects against infection with a nasty bacteria called pneumococcus, which can cause a secondary bacterial chest infection in someone who has a viral pneumonia, but the vaccine does not protect against coronavirus itself.
Q. My family and I have been in isolation for 14 days as I had symptoms. My daughter and I are due to go back to work. If my daughter gets symptoms do we all have to isolate again?
A. Yes you do. If any of you develop the symptoms of a dry persistent cough or raised temperature the process starts again.
Once more testing becomes available to people in your position, we will know whether you need to self-isolate for sure or not. Until then its better to be on the safe side.
Q. Does taking antihistamines help fight the Covid-19 infection?
A. Antihistamines have nothing to offer in the fight against Covid-19. They have no antiviral action.
Q. Where can I buy the antibody test for Covid-19?
Q. I have a chest infection. Am I more likely to get the virus?
Recommended Reading: Tdap At Cvs
Can I Have The Vaccine If Im Experiencing Symptoms Of Long Covid
There isnt any evidence to suggest the vaccine will cause symptoms of long COVID to be made worse. If youve had a confirmed case of coronavirus you should still have the vaccine when you are invited to do so. Although it is hoped people who have had the virus will have some level of immunity, this isnt guaranteed, and it is thought that vaccine-induced immunity will be stronger.
You should still be vaccinated when you have the opportunity and are fully recovered. If you are experiencing persisting symptoms of COVID-19 and are offered the vaccine, you should speak to your health care professional. Having persisting symptoms should not stop you having the COVID-19 vaccine. But, if you are experiencing these, your vaccination may be delayed until you are feeling better. This is so you know how you feel isn’t a side effect of the vaccine.
Who Can’t Get The Coronavirus Vaccine
Most people can get the coronavirus vaccine.
You shouldnt have the vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccine ingredients, or experience anaphylaxis after the first dose.
Serious allergic reactions are rare. If you do have a reaction to the vaccine, it usually happens in minutes. The vaccine is only being given in safe health care environments with facilities to treat allergic reactions if they happen. For advice specific to you and your condition, its best to speak to your GP who knows your medical history.
You May Like: Can You Get Tdap At Cvs
Shingles Vaccination What You Should Know:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends shingles vaccine for people 60 years of age and older. This is a one-time vaccination to prevent shingles. There is no maximum age for getting the shingles vaccine.
Anyone 60 years of age or older should get the shingles vaccine, regardless of whether they recall having had chickenpox or not. Studies show that more than 99% of Americans ages 40 and older have had chickenpox, even if they dont remember getting the disease.
Your risk for getting shingles begins to rise around age 50. However, shingles vaccine is only recommended for persons age 60 and older because the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine have only been studied in this age group.
Even if you have had shingles, you can still receive the shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. There is no specific time that you must wait after having shingles before receiving the shingles vaccine. The decision on when to get vaccinated should be made with your healthcare provider. Generally, a person should make sure that the shingles rash has disappeared before getting vaccinated.