Pneumonia Prevention - Immunization with Pneumonia Vaccine

The word ‘pneumonia’ is linked to any of the infections that affect the lungs. The pneumonia vaccination is used as a preventive measure against a particular type of pneumonia – that caused by the pneumococcus bacterium, or the streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumonia is one of the most common types of lung infections that occur outside an institutional setting or hospital in the United States.

In fact, it is estimated that more than 6000 deaths that occur each year are due to pneumococcus infection, which is considered to be the highest number for any disease that can be prevented by a vaccine. Apart from affecting the lungs, pneumonia also infects the blood, and is one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis, which is responsible for a high number of the fatalities associated with the disease.

Typically, pneumonia is spread via coughing, sneezing, or any other way by which contact is made with the respiratory output of an infected person. Hence, one of the best ways to prevent the transmission of the disease is to wash your hands often if you are in proximity with anyone infected with the disease. And if you have been exposed to the pneumococcus bacterium and are feeling ill, some of the symptoms of pneumonia are:

• Shortness of breath, coughing, and high temperature – a combination of all these symptoms may indicate pneumonia.
• A general feeling of lowness accompanied by fever can be linked to bacteremia, a pneumonial infection that affects the blood.
• A slow down in mental alertness, headache, and fever – a combination of these can indicate meningitis.

There are over 80 types of the pneumococcus bacteria, 23 of which are covered by the pneumonia vaccine that is currently available. The pneumonia shot is injected directly into the body in order to stimulate the immune system. When the immune system is thus stimulated it produces antibodies against the pneumococcus bacteria, resulting in the prevention of pneumonia.

This technique of stimulating the immune system to work against a particular microbe is known as immunization. The pneumonia vaccination is also called pneumococcal immunization.

Who should be given the pneumonia vaccine?

Some groups of people are thought to be particularly susceptible to getting pneumonia; hence, medical professionals recommend that these groups get the pneumonia shots to immunize themselves against it. These groups are:

• People who are 65 years old or older.
• People who are more than two years old who are afflicted with chronic heart, lung, or other organic disorders such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, cardiomyopathy, chronic liver disease, and diabetes mellitus.
• People above two years of age with dysfunction of the spleen resulting from sickle cell disease or asplenia; splenectomy, or the surgical removal of the spleen; malignancy of the blood resulting in leukemia; kidney failure; multiple myeloma; and alcoholism.
• People more than two years old undergoing immunosuppressive treatment for AIDS or for organ transplantation.
• Some Native Americans and Alaskan natives.

Unlike the flu shot, the pneumonia vaccination need not be taken every year. Usually, a single dose of the vaccination suffices.

Who should not take the pneumonia vaccination?

The pneumonia shot should not be taken by people who have a previous history of reacting hyper-sensitively to the vaccine.

It has not yet been evaluated how safe the pneumonia vaccination is during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Hence, women who are contemplating pregnancy or are already pregnant are advised to check up with their doctors before going in for immunization against pneumonia.

How is the pneumonia shot administered?

A single shot of the pneumonia vaccine is sufficient for most people, with 0.5 ml of the liquid solution being injected into the deltoid muscle or as a subcutaneous injection. The part of the body to be injected is sterilized by alcohol being rubbed on it before the shot is given.

People who have taken the vaccination before the age of 65 should be given the shot again at the age of 65, if there has been a gap of 5 or more years since the first vaccination.

People who are afflicted with spleen dysfunction, or suffer from chronic disease of the kidney, transplant patients, immunodeficient or immunosuppressed individuals, and other people who are at high risk of contracting a fatal disease, should be administered a second pneumonia vaccine shot about 5 years after the first shot.

Are there any side effects of the pneumonia vaccine?

The pneumonia vaccine does not usually cause any side effects, however, sometimes it can cause redness and/or soreness in the injected area, rash, fever, and occasionally even allergic reactions.

Although the pneumonia vaccine is considered to be safe, it is generally not recommended for people who are otherwise healthy, even on exposure to the virus. Pneumonia is usually treatable with antibiotics. It is only people in the above-mentioned vulnerable categories that should be given the pneumonia vaccination as a measure of prevention.