Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal
bacteria. It is recommended for adults aged 65 and over, as well as for children
aged 2 years and older with certain long-term illnesses. This vaccine is
generally given only once in a lifetime. People who are under 65 when they first
get the vaccine need to be revaccinated at age 65 years if it has been 5 or more
years since the first dose. The vaccine is recommended for:
- All adults aged 65 years or older.
- Anyone over age 2 years who has a long-term health problem such as:
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Sickle cell disease
- Diabetes
- Alcoholism
- Cirrhosis
- Cerebrospinal fluid leaks
- Anyone over age 2 years who has a disease or condition that lowers the
body’s resistance to infection, such as:
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Lymphoma, leukemia
- Kidney failure
- Multiple myeloma
- Nephrotic syndrome
- HIV infection or AIDS
- Damaged spleen or no spleen
- Organ transplant
- Anyone over age 2 years who is taking any drug or treatment that lowers
the body’s resistance to infection, such as:
- Long-term steroids
- Certain cancer drugs
- Radiation therapy
- Anyone over age 2 years who is:
- Alaskan Native or from certain Native American populations
Last Update:
06/16/2008 01:49 PM
