A Great Vaccine Just Got Better

Pneumoccal Conjugate Vaccine: 

This is a killed vaccine prepared from the coating around the bacterium and chemically bound to a minute amount of protein.  The vaccine is given by injection at 2, 4, 6-7 and 12-15 months of age.  This vaccine is at least 90% effective in preventing severe invasive pneumoccal disease. 

As of 2/24/10 the FDA licensed a new 13 valent pneumoccal conjugate vaccine PCV13, to replace the PCV7 vaccine that was previosly in use.  Use of PCV13 is recommended by the ACIP,  CDC, and AAP for children 6 weeks through 71 months.  PCV7 contains capsular pneumoccal serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F.   In addition, PCV13 contains serotypes 1, 3, 5, 6A, 7F and 19A.  There has been a 99% decrease in invasive pneumoccal disease due to the included vaccine serotypes in PCV7, but invasive disease due to serotypes not included in PCV7 has increased.  The switch to use of PCV13 will allow for further reduction in risk for and incidence of invasive pneumoccal disease. 

Healthy infants and children age 14-59 months who have already completed the 4 dose PCV7 series should receive a “supplemental” dose of PCV13 at the next check up.

Disease:  Pneumococcus is a bacterium that causes meningitis, pneumonia, blood and bone infections, otitis media and sinusitis.  The symptoms caused by infections with pneumococcus are particularly severe, with high fevers and much discomfort.  50% of severe disease caused by this germ occurs in children under age 2.  Risk factors such as day care, cigarette smoke exposure, a history of ear infections, kidney disease, immunodeficiency, diabetes, sickle cell disease and lack of a spleen, enhance the chances of acquiring this germ.  Rapid development of antibiotic resistance is characteristic of pneumococcus.  Fortunately children aged 6 and older have less frequent infections with pneumococcus.

Potential Vaccine Side Effects:  Reactions include low to moderate fever (up to 7%), fatigue (up to 5%), loss of appetite (up to 3%), vomiting (3.6%), diarrhea (up to 5%), and rarely hives.

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