Just like in young infants, pneumonia is common cause of death in elderly. In this Corona pandemic, we have seen several adults dying due to pneumonia. So the question is whether pneumonia vaccination is available for all age groups or not?
ADULT PNEUMONIA VACCINATION
Streptococcus Pneumoniae is the commonest cause of Pneumonia in elderly after viral infections like Influenza type A & B, Parainfluenza viruses, Rhinoviruses, Respiratory Syncytial viruses including Coronaviruses. After this viral infection in adults, Streptococcal Pneumonia is the commonest secondary infection leading to death so it is better to vaccinate with Pneumococcal Pneumonia vaccine to protect elderly.
Also data are available suggesting that PCV 13 vaccinated adults required 35% lower risk of Covid19 diagnosis; 32% lower incidence of Covid 19 hospitalisation and 32% lower incidence of Covid 19 death then adults who didn’t receive the vaccine.
Countries with the lowest rates of COVID-19 – Japan, Korea, Denmark, Australia and New Zealand – have the highest rates of pneumococcal vaccination among both infants and adults, according to studies.
According to the latest government of India guidelines (JUNE 2021), PCV 13 ie PREVENAR 13 of Pfizer has been approved for vaccination of all age groups. Earlier it was approved for child immunisation and for elderly 65+ years of age. Now it is approved for age 19 to 65 years, so a single dose of PCV 13 can protect all adults from pneumococcal disease. So, PCV 13 vaccination is now done even for adults at Aashrey Child Clinic (Child Specialist/ Pediatrician in Vadodara) Vaccination Centre.
Pneumococcal Vaccine Timing for Adults
Make sure your patients are up to date with pneumococcal vaccination.
Two pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for adults:
- 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13, Prevnar13®)
- 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23, Pneumovax®23)
PCV13 and PPSV23
should not be administered during the same office visit.
When both are indicated, PCV13 should be given before PPSV23 whenever possible.
If either vaccine is inadvertently given earlier than the recommended window, do not repeat the dose.