As the name implies, the PCV vaccine or pneumococcal vaccine protects the body from pneumococcal bacterial infections. Infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and septicemia (severe infections). Permanent damage to the brain, even death can occur in certain cases that are very severe.
Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria live in the nasal wall and back of the throat, which in large quantities can cause middle ear canal infections, respiratory tract, meningitis, and sinus cavity infections. Thirty percent of these bacteria are resistant to antibiotics and can be spread through physical contact, sneezing, and coughing. Now researchers have identified more than 90 types of pneumococcal bacteria, and 8 to 10 of them are pneumococcal bacteria that can cause disease in humans.
Although pneumococcal infection can occur to anyone, infants, elderly people aged 65 years or older, and people with chronic health problems are more at risk of experiencing it. This dangerous disease generally attacks toddlers which can cause blood infections, meningitis, and ear infections.
This pneumococcal bacterial infection should not be taken lightly. One of the serious diseases that can occur due to bacterial infection is meningitis, which has a fairly high death and disability rate. Symptoms of meningitis can include severe headache, sudden high fever, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, and decreased consciousness. In infants or children, it can also be accompanied by difficulty or unwillingness to drink, weakness, to seizures. If you or your child experience these symptoms, you should immediately see a doctor to get the right treatment.
Cases of severe infection are estimated to be higher in developing countries, including Indonesia. Coverage of PCV vaccine worldwide is still relatively low at 42%. Therefore, to prevent death and disability due to pneumococcal infections, the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend the administration of the PCV vaccine.
There are two types of vaccines that can provide protection against diseases caused by pneumococcal infections, namely: Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV). PCV vaccine that can protect children from 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria is recommended for:
- Infants less than 2 years old need to get 4 doses. Four doses are recommended for each: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and a booster between 12-15 months.
- If they don't get the vaccine on time, they still have to get it during that age. Consult your doctor first if you are late or missed a dose of PCV vaccine, especially in children.
- Healthy children aged 2-4 years who have not received a complete PCV vaccine need to get one dose of the vaccine.
In addition, there is also a pneumococcal vaccine for adults called the PPV vaccine that protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. Both PCV and PPV vaccines are dead vaccines and do not contain live pathogenic bacteria.
Elderly aged over 65 years need one PPV vaccine that will protect it for life. Meanwhile, people with chronic health problems need to get a five-year or once PPV vaccine, depending on the type of disorder they have. Adults aged 19 to 64 who are smokers are also advised to get the PPV vaccine. Adults who will receive the pneumococcal vaccine are advised not to be pregnant and breastfeeding. You can consult a doctor before deciding to get a vaccine.
Like other vaccines, PCV vaccine can also have the following side effects:
- Experiencing discomfort and redness on the part of the skin injected.
- Severe pain at the injection site after vaccine administration, but this case is very rare.
- Some children claimed to feel sleepy after being injected.
- About 30% of children experience swelling in the injection site.
- One in three children has a low-grade fever, and 5% of children have a high fever.
- Severe allergic reactions can occur, but this is very rare.
The thing to remember again is that children who have had a severe allergic reaction to the previous PCV vaccine are advised not to get this vaccine back. Symptoms of severe allergies are shortness of breath, hoarseness, wheezing, pale, dizziness, rashes on the skin, rapid pulse, and decreased consciousness. Although very rare, this condition is a post-immunization emergency condition. If there are any of the above symptoms after vaccination, you should immediately bring your child to the nearest emergency room to get the right treatment.
In addition, those who have a fever or severe illness, such as pneumonia, need to delay receiving the vaccine until their health is restored. In addition, if your child or even yourself is seriously ill, it is recommended that the administration of the PCV vaccine be postponed until recovering.
Comments
Post a Comment