What is "pneumococcal vaccine"

n. vaccine (trade name Pneumovax) effective against the 23 most common strains of pneumococcus [syn: Pneumovax]

Pneumococcal vaccines are vaccines against the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. Their use can prevent some cases of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines: conjugate vaccines and polysaccharide vaccines. They are given either by injection into a muscle or just under the skin.

The World Health Organization recommends the use of the conjugate vaccine in the routine immunizations given to children. This includes those with HIV/AIDS. The recommended three or four doses are between 71 and 93% effective at preventing severe disease. The polysaccharide vaccines, while effective in healthy adults, are not effective in children less than two years old or those with poor immune function.

These vaccines are generally safe. With the conjugate vaccine about 10% of babies develop redness at the site of injection, fever, or change in sleep. Fever may also occur. Severe allergies are very rare.

The first pneumococcal vaccine was developed in the 1980s. They are on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medication needed in a basic health system. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about 17 USD per dose as of 2014. In the United States it is between 25 and 100 USD.