pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (prevnar) 13

what is pcv 13?

Prevnar 13 or PCV 13 (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine) is a type of vaccination for pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection that primarily affects sinuses and inner ear but can also cause more serious infections like pneumonia, meningitis and blood infections which can be quite fatal. This disease is quite common amongst older adults and young children who are at a greater risk of serious illness and death. 

Pneumococcal pneumonia can be a serious disease, and it can become common in people after the age of 50. It’s a bacterial disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a type of bacteria. It can be carried in the throats of up to 70% of healthy people.

how it saves from pneumonia?

Prevnar 13 vaccine helps protect from pneumococcus bacterial infections. Prevnar 13 vaccine contains different strains of Streptococcus Pneumoniae bacteria and hence, protects against 13 different types of pneumococcal bacteria. The Prevnar 13 vaccine is recommended by doctors worldwide for adults 50 years or older and adults with certain medical conditions. 

Vaccines help protect against many diseases however, no vaccine is 100% effective, so you can still get pneumonia even after getting vaccinated. Nevertheless several studies have shown that at least 1 dose of Prevnar 13 protects 75% of adults aged 50 years and older from invasive pneumococcal disease and 45% of adults age 50 and older from pneumococcal pneumonia

who should get pcv/ prevnar 13 vaccine?

According to Center for Disease Control and Vaccination (CDC), a leading national public health institute of United States the Prevnar 13/ Pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for the following group of population;

• All adults 50 years or older 
• All people between 2 through 50 years of age with certain medical conditions like sickle cell disease, HIV infection, diabetes, immune compromising conditions and heart, lung, kidney or liver disease)
• Prevnar 13 vaccine is also recommended for people with cochlear implants or cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
• Adults having smoking and alcoholism problem should also get vaccinated
• All children younger than 2 years 

what is adult vaccination for prevnar 13

Prevnar 13 is an approved vaccine for adults 50 years of age and older for the prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive disease, which is caused by the 13 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains included in the vaccine. The immune responses to the vaccine forms the basis of this indication and not the trials evaluating decreases in pneumococcal disease in adults.

before receiving prevnar

Here are a few things to note and tell your doctor before receiving Prevnar 13 vaccine

• If you ever had a severe allergic reaction to pneumococcal or diptheria vaccine 
• If you have a weak immune system caused by any disease, bone marrow transplant, or due to the use of certain medications or receiving cancer treatment.
• If you are prone to easy bruising or have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder.
• At the time of booster dose inform the doctor of any side effects the child might have had

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose and if you do miss any dose speak to your doctor immediately and get the scheduled vaccine dose at the earliest.

What if overdose

It is unlikely for a Prevnar 13 vaccine overdose to occur since its presentation is as a pre-filled syringe. In rare cases if there are reports of overdose, seek emergency medical help.

who should not get the pcv13/prevnar 13 vaccine?

Anyone having any life-threatening allergic reactions to or have a severe allergy to pneumococcal vaccines or any vaccines containing diptheria toxoid.  This vaccine should also be avoided when you are not feeling well. Even breast feeding mums, pregnant women and/ or people trying to get pregnant are not advised to take this vaccine.  

how to get it?

Prevnar vaccine for adult is administered as a single dose. The Prevnar 13 vaccine is an intramuscular injection only. The vaccine consists of a single 0.5ml dose to be injected intramuscularly using a sterile needle. The preferred sites for injection are the anterolateral aspect of the upper arm in adults. 

The Prevnar 13 vaccine should not be injected in the gluteal area or areas where there may be a major nerve trunk and/or blood vessel. This vaccine is easily available across all health facilities near you. You can also get your child and loved ones vaccinated at home through the help of Portea’s at-home healthcare vaccination services.  

side effects of prevnar 13

The typical side effects of Prevnar 13 are usually mild and go away on their own within a few days.  Some of the typical side effects of Prevnar 13 are listed below;

Common side effects of Prevnar 13 in adults 50 years and older

• Fatigue and tiredness
• Headache, joint pain and muscle pain
• Decreased appetite
• Swelling, tenderness or hard lump and redness of the injection site
• Skin rash and limitations of arm movement 
• Chills and low grade fever
• Vomiting or diarrhoea

Seek immediate medical assistance if your child has serious side effects like high fever, seizures, wheezing, trouble breathing, severe stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhoea.

what will be cost of prevnar 13

Typically the prices of pneumococcal vaccine varies depending upon the health facility and brand, nevertheless the govt is providing pneumococcal vaccines at subsidized rates. One can never put a price on health and it is better to be immunized from a disease than suffer from it. So get your loved ones and yourself protected today and call Portea at-home health care services and get your Prevnar 13 vaccination at the comfort of your home with the help of qualified nurses and health professionals.