Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding types of pneumococcal vaccines as follows:
- Mainly two different types of pneumococcal vaccines are available, based on how they are manufactured, mode of administration, the spectrum of pneumococcal bacteria they offer protection against, and age-groups of individuals they are recommended for.
- Both the pneumococcal vaccines do not contain any live bacteria and are made from components of pneumococcal bacteria. So, these vaccines cannot cause any serious pneumococcal illnesses in the recipients.
The two types of pneumococcal vaccines are
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or PCV13: This vaccine administered into the muscle, is usually recommended for children younger than 2 years of age and others with certain specific health conditions. PCV13, marketed as Prevnar 13, offers protection against 13 of the approximately 90 types of pneumococcal bacteria causing the most serious types of pneumococcal illnesses, such as, pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia.
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine or PPSV23: This vaccine administered into the muscle or beneath the skin, is usually recommended for adults, 65 years and older, along with others having certain specific health conditions. PPSV23, marketed as Pneumovax 23, offers protection against 23 of the approximately 90 types of pneumococcal bacteria causing the most serious types of pneumococcal illnesses, such as, pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia.
Different types of vaccines are approved for different age-groups and based on other clinical indications. Your physician will order for the vaccine that is apt for your needs.
