Pneumonia, or the pneumococcal disease, is the most common in children. However, adults are at the greatest risk of it becoming serious, and in some cases, pneumonia in adults can even lead to death.
There are two kinds of vaccines that can help to prevent pneumococcal disease. Children under the age of two and adults over the age of 65 should be vaccinated.
The two vaccines are pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Also known as PCV13 or 13.
This vaccine helps to prevent the 13 different types of pneumococcal bacteria that most commonly cause serious infections in children and adults. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can also help to prevent ear infections and pneumonia caused by these 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for all children under the age of two, all adults over the age of 65, and those people aged between 2 and 64 who have certain medical conditions. Talk to your doctor to find out if this applies to you.
Some people, however, should not receive this vaccine. The reasons for this may be due to health conditions or to age. Those who should not receive this vaccine include anyone who has had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of this vaccine, to an earlier version of the vaccine (PCV7, or ), or to any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid. Nor should anyone with an allergy to any component making up this vaccine receive it.
If you currently have a severe illness, you should hold off until you have recovered to receive this vaccine. If your illness is mild, such as a cold, you should be fine to get this vaccine, but confirm with your doctor first.
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine
Also known as PPSV23 or Pneumovax23.
The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine protects against serious infections that are caused by 23 different types of pneumococcal bacteria.
This vaccine is recommended for all adults over 65, adults between the ages 19 and 64 who smoke, and anyone between the ages 2 and 64 with certain medical conditions. Talk to your doctor to find out if this vaccine applies to you.
Children under the age of 2 should not receive this vaccine. Nor should anyone who is allergic to PPSV23 or any of the components making up the vaccine.
If you currently have a severe illness, hold off on getting this vaccine until you have fully recovered. Those with a mild illness are probably okay to get the vaccine but confirm with a doctor first.
There has been no evidence that PPSC23 is harmful to pregnant women or their babies, but as a precaution, it is recommended that you get your vaccine before becoming pregnant, if possible.
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