Carenotes > Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? The pneumococcal (new-mo-kok-ul) polysaccharide (poly-sac-ah-ride) vaccine (PPV) protects people from pneumococcal disease. The PPV is given as an injection (shot) in a muscle.

What is pneumococcal disease? It is a serious disease that causes sickness and death. It is caused by a bacteria (germ) called the pneumococcus. It is spread from person to person through the air. Pneumococcus may cause some of the following health problems:

• Meningitis (men-in-ji-tis): an infection of the brain and spinal cord.
  
  
• Pneumonia: an infection in the lungs.
  
  
• Otitis media: an infection of the ear.
  
  
• Infections of the blood.

Who should get the PPV?

• All adults who are 65 years of age or older.
  
  
• People who are over 2 years old and have one or more of the following risk factors:
  
  
  • Long-term heart, lung, or liver disease, diabetes, or alcoholism.
    
    
  • Immune system problems. The immune system helps to fight infection. Someone who is taking medicines that makes the immune system weak may also be at risk.
    
    
  • A cerebrospinal (sir-e-bro-spy-nul) fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain and spine) leak.
    
    
  • A person who had an organ or bone transplant.
    
    
  • A spleen (an organ in the body) that does not work properly or work at all.
    
    
  • Sickle cell disease or other blood disorders.
    
    
  • Alaskan Natives and certain Native American populations.

How often does the PPV need to be given? The PPV usually only needs to be given one time. Some people with certain illnesses may need to receive it more than once. Caregivers will decide how many times someone needs to get it.

Who should not get the PPV or should wait until later to get it?

• Someone who had a life-threatening allergic reaction to the PPV before should not get the vaccine.
  
  
• Someone with allergies to other vaccines or any other severe allergies may not get the pneumococcal vaccine.
  
  
• Someone with an illness like a cold or fever should wait to get the vaccine until the illness is gone.
  
  
• Pregnant women should ask a caregiver before getting the PPV. A caregiver will decide if the pregnant woman needs the vaccine.

What are the risks from getting the PPV? As with any medicine, this vaccine may cause some problems. Most people do not have any serious reactions to this vaccine. The risk of serious harm or death is very small.

• The most common problems that may happen include:
  
  
  • Redness, soreness, swelling, or pain where the vaccine was given.
    
    
  • Mild fever.
    
    
  • Muscle pain.
  
  
• Some signs of an allergic reaction to the vaccine may include:
  
  
  • Hives.
    
    
  • Itching.
    
    
  • Trouble breathing.

What can be done for fever and pain after the PPV? Ask a caregiver what medicine can be used for fever or pain.

What should be done for an allergic reaction from the PPV?

• Call a caregiver or get the person to a caregiver right away if the person has hives or itching.
  
  
• Call 911 or 0 (operator) if the person is having trouble breathing. This is an emergency.
  
  
• Ask a caregiver to file a Vaccine Adverse Event Report if a person has a moderate to severe reaction to a vaccine. You may also contact the following organization:

• Vaccine Adverse Event Report
  Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
  1401 Rockville Pike, Ste 200N
  Rockville, MD 20852-1448
  Phone: 1-800-835-4709
  Web Address: www.fda.gov/cber/vaers/vaers.htm
  

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This is a federal program that helps pay for the care of anyone seriously injured by a vaccine. Contact the following organization for more information:

• Health Resources and Services Administration National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
  Parklawn Building, Room 11C-26, 5600 Fishers Lane
  Rockville , MD 20857
  Phone: 1-800-338-2382
  Web Address: http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/
  

How can someone get more information about the PPV and other vaccines? Ask a caregiver for more information or contact the following organizations.

• Local or state health department.
  
  

• The National Immunization Program Public Inquiries
  1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-05
  Atlanta, GA 30333
  Phone: 1-800-232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about pneumococcal disease and the PPV. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care will be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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