Introduction
In 1980, the first pneumococcal vaccine was developed. It is also enlisted as one of the essential medicines by the World Health Organization. This vaccine fights against the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, thus preventing pneumococcal diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.
There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines. They are conjugate vaccines and polysaccharide vaccines injected into a muscle or just under the skin. These vaccines are safe and ineffective in children under two years of age.
What Is Pneumococcal Infection?
Pneumococcal diseases are a range of illnesses caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumonia. It affects various parts of the body and can cause middle ear infections, bacteremia, pneumonia, sinusitis, meningitis, etc.
People can be infected with the bacteria by direct contact, primarily with droplet infection, through cough or sneezing, or close contact. Depending on which body organ it is affecting, it can cause the following diseases such as:
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Pneumonia: It is an illness of the respiratory tract (lungs) that makes breathing difficult. Other symptoms include prolonged cough and fever.
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Bacterial Meningitis: It is an infection of the covering or membranes of the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to confusion, paralysis, coma, and death.
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Otitis Media: It is an ear infection (middle ear) that can cause pain, swelling, fever, etc.
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Bacteremia: It is a dangerous infection of the bloodstream that can cause life-threatening infections.
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Sinus Infection.
The disease is most prevalent under the age of five years. Infection with the pneumococcus bacteria results in many cases of meningitis, bacteremia, or other invasive infections per year.
In young children, the classical signs of meningitis and pneumonia are absent, making this disease unrecognizable. Pneumococcal vaccines help in preventing pneumonia in two ways.
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Direct Protection: These vaccines help children against the development of infections such as pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae type B.
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Indirect Protection: Vaccinations may prevent infection that can lead to pneumonia as a complication.
Which Organism Causes Pneumococcal Disease?
Pneumococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus. It is an encapsulated, gram-positive diplococcus bacteria. The polysaccharide capsule is an essential factor for virulence. The antibody in this capsule protects against disease.
How Do Pneumococcus Bacteria Cause Disease?
Pneumococcal infection can lead to life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia, septicemia, meningitis, and other illnesses such as sinusitis and otitis media. The bacteria colonize the nasopharynx. It is transmitted by respiratory droplets, coughing, and sneezing. Infants and young children are the main carriers of this organism.
How Is Pneumococcal Infection Transmitted?
Pneumococcal infection is transmitted by:
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Direct contact with secretions such as saliva, mucus, or respiratory droplets of infected individuals.
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Through carriers who are not ill.
The disease is caused by the following:
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Contagious spread to the sinuses or middle ear.
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Aspiration in the lower respiratory tract causes pneumonia.
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Invasion in the bloodstream causes bacteremia.
Most infections result in mild illnesses. Progression of the infection can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, etc. Human immunodeficiency virus infection and other immune deficiency diseases increase the likelihood of contracting this disease.
How to Prevent Pneumococcal Disease?
Prevention of pneumococcal diseases, especially pneumonia, is essential to reducing child mortality rates. Children infected with this disease require early diagnosis and treatment. The administration of vaccines can prevent many cases.
Immunization against diseases such as Haemophilus influenza type b, pneumococcus, measles, and whooping cough are some of the ways to prevent pneumonia. Adequate nutrition to improve a child’s immunity, breastfeeding for the first six months, and following good hygiene are effective ways to prevent it.
Pneumonia is diagnosed based on the signs and symptoms such as cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. Patients with pneumonia require antibiotic treatment and proper supportive care. Vaccination should not be given at the time of the present illness. Vaccination is a safe, cost-effective tool for saving millions of children from pneumonia.
Currently, three types of vaccines are available. They are:
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Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV).
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Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) pentavalent vaccine.
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Measles vaccine.
Pneumococcal vaccine and pentavalent vaccine work to reduce the incidence of pneumonia caused by bacteria. The measles vaccine prevents systemic viral infection from affecting other organs.
What Are the Types of Pneumococcal Vaccines?
Pneumococcal vaccines are derived from sugars of the bacterial polysaccharide capsule.
They may or may not be attached to carrier proteins. Based on the presence and absence of carrier protein, two categories of vaccines are available.
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Polysaccharide capsule (lacks carrier) available since 1980.
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Conjugate vaccines (with protein carrier) are currently available.
The carrier protein in the conjugate vaccine is selected to improve immune response in already vaccinated individuals. Pneumococcal vaccine thirteen (PCV 13) is considered safe for children under two years of age. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine twenty-three (PPCV 23) is recommended for children above two years of age. It protects against twenty-three types of pneumococcal bacteria. It is recommended to use conjugate vaccines for routine immunization in children, even those with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The polysaccharide vaccines are effective in healthy adults. For those who have never received any pneumococcal vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine fifteen or twenty (PCV 15, PCV 20) is suggested.
How Safe Are Pneumococcal Vaccines?
Both pneumococcal vaccines are safe. Like other vaccines, only mild symptoms are reported. They are:
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Redness, tenderness, and lump at the site of injection.
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Fever or muscle ache.
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Fussiness and drowsiness (rarely).
Who Should Get the Pneumococcal Vaccine?
The pneumococcal vaccine series begins with the pneumococcal vaccine seven and is complete with pneumococcal vaccine thirteen (PCV 7 to PCV 13).
The vaccine is recommended for:
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All infants younger than two years of age should receive all the doses of vaccines. One shot at two months of age, the next shot at four months and six months of age. Finally, a booster should be given at twelve to fifteen months of age.
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Children who have not received the doses during this time should still receive them by consulting with the healthcare provider.
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Healthy children between the ages of two to four, who have not received all four doses, should receive one dose of the vaccine.
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The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) is suggested for adults between the age group of nineteen to sixty-four years.
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Adults sixty-five years or older should get both the pneumococcal vaccine thirteen (PCV 13) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine twenty-three (PPSV 23).
What Is the Recommended Dose of the Pneumococcal Vaccine?
The recommended dose is 0.5 milliliter. It is administered intramuscularly in the thighs of infants. If multiple doses are given in the same thigh, the distance between two injections should be at least one inch.
Conclusion
Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common cause of pneumonia among children. The fight against pneumonia-related death relies only on prevention and protection from infection.
Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) effectively reduces the incidence and severity of pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections, particularly in children. Vaccination is not given in case of active infection and people with poor immunity. Following the recommended vaccination schedule is the only way to reduce the risk of diseases.
