Pneumococcal Vaccines in the Age of H1N1

By Julie Stachowiak, PhD
Multiple Sclerosis Guide; Guest blogger

There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines currently in use in the United States: pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PVC) and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccaride vaccine (PPSV23). It appears that in many cases, deaths from H1N1 are the result of complications from bacterial pneumonia. These vaccines can protect against some types of bacterial pneumonia. However, many people seem to be confused about the differences between the two vaccines.

PVC is a vaccine used in infants and children as part of routine immunization. It protects against infection from Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumoccocus). It goes by the brand name Prevnar in the US and is given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 12-15 months of age.

PPSV23 is a vaccine that protects against 23 different strains of bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease. It is recommended for everyone age 65 and older. I addition, it is recommended for people younger than 65 (but older than 2) with certain disorders or under certain circumstances, including: immunosuppression, diabetes, kidney or liver failure, sickle cell disease or splenectomy or several kinds of cancer (among other things).

These vaccines could really help prevent serious complications, and even death, in the case of infection with H1N1 (swine flu) in certain high-risk people. If you are not sure if you are a candidate for one of these vaccines or if you are unsure if you have had the vaccine, ask your doctor. In one alarming study, it was shown that only 16% of the people who should have been vaccinated with PPSV23 (given their risk factors) had actually received the vaccine.

Again, these are scary times for many people. Buy yourself a little piece of mind and find out the vaccine recommendations for you and your family (then follow through with them).