Frequently asked questions for Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine
Q. Who should not not be given Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine?
Use of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine should be avoided in patients who are allergic to Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine or any of its components. However, if you are not aware of any allergy, or if you are using Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine for the first time, consult your doctor.Q. What is a booster dose or booster vaccine or booster shot?
A booster dose or booster vaccine or booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine that may have to be administered periodically after completing the initial or primary vaccination against certain diseases. This helps to ‘boost’ your immunity against such diseases so that you are adequately protected against them.Q. Who should be given Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine?
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine is indicated to be used in infants and children from the age of 6 weeks up to 5 years against diseases caused by the organism called Streptococcus pneumoniae, such as pneumonia, meningitis, blood infection and ear infection.Q. How many doses of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine are needed?
Usually, three doses are recommended for a child at a gap of at least 1 month. The primary dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age and after the third dose, an additional booster dose may be given after 6 months of the third dose. However, it is also possible to have a three dose regimen only. In case the child has not been vaccinated with Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine earlier, an alternate regimen may also be followed which may have two doses and an additional third dose (booster dose). Discuss with your doctor if you are not sure.Q. What if I miss a dose of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine?
If a scheduled booster dose of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine is missed, talk to your doctor and arrange another visit as soon as possible. Try not to miss any doses at all. Make sure your child finishes the complete course without missing any doses. Otherwise, your child may not be fully protected against the diseases.Q. What are the side effects of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine?
The most common side effects of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine are injection site redness, pain or swelling, allergic reactions, irritability, loss of appetite, drowsiness and fever. Not everyone experiences these side effects. If any of these side effects worry you or persist for a longer duration of time, please consult your doctor.Q. Can I faint because of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine?
Syncope (fainting) can occur following, or even before, any vaccination especially in adolescents as a psychogenic response to the needle injection. This can be accompanied by several neurological signs such as transient visual disturbance, paraesthesia and tonic-clonic limb movements during recovery. It is important that procedures are in place to avoid injury from faints.Q. How is Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine given?
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine is only given by a doctor or a trained healthcare professional, into a muscle (intramuscularly), normally in the upper leg muscle if the infant is less than 12 months of age. In case the child is more than 12 months old, the vaccine will usually be given in the upper arm muscle. Do not administer this vaccine yourself. Firm pressure should be applied to the injection site, without any rubbing, for at least two minutes. Due caution should be exercised, especially in patients with bleeding problems or low platelet counts, who are at risk of bleeding following an injection into a muscle. Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine is never given into a vein (intravenously) or under the skin (subcutaneously).Q. When should Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine not be given?
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine should not be given if you have had an allergic reaction to Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine or any of its ingredients. Signs of an allergic reaction may include itchy skin rash, shortness of breath or swelling of the face or tongue. Get emergency medical help if you notice any such signs. Consult your doctor if you have a severe infection with a high temperature. A minor infection such as a cold should not be a problem, but talk to your doctor about , greater than or equal to 40°C. this before being vaccinated. Do not use this vaccine if the expiry date printed on the pack has passed or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If you are not sure whether Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine should be given, talk to your doctor.Q. Is Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine safe to use in pregnancy and lactation?
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine is not intended for use in adults, adequate data on its use during pregnancy and lactation is not available.Q. Is Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine a safe vaccine?
Various studies and trials have shown that Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. Hence, it has been approved for use and recommended by various medical organizations and doctors all around the world. Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine is also well tolerated. Any side effects that may be seen with this vaccine are usually minor and tend to resolve quickly. However, children with a weakened immune system, for example, HIV infection, may not get full protection from Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine.