The pneumococcal vaccines contain in activated bacteria vaccine. In this vaccine the dead bacteria is used to make the vaccine to   teach the immune system to recognize and fight against the bacteria.

The pneumococcal vaccine gives protection for 3 years.

It will prevent the infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae in children over age 2 and adults who are at the risk  of getting the infection.

Indications for the pneumococcal vaccines

• High risk people like children with age 2

• Persons with heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, alcoholism, diabetes, cirrhosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, cardiomyopathy.

• Persons with

• Persons above 65 year old.

• Persons, who has sickle cell anemia, lack of spleen function, blood malignancy, multiple myeloma.

• Person who had their spleen removed

• People who live in nursing homes

• People who like in the institution where there are people with chronic health issues

• Persons with weak immune system like cancer, HIV infection, organ transplantation

• Persons who use long term immunosuppressive medications, steroids.

This vaccine does not give protection against the children under the age 2. For children a different vaccines is given called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. In the children less than 2 years one dose is given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and the last dose is given at 12 to 15 months of age.

Adverse effects of the vaccines

• Pain and redness at the injection site

• Allergic reactions

• Low grade fever

• Tiredness

• Fatigue

• Vomiting

• Tenderness

• Fever