Pneumo 23 is a multivalent pneumococcal vaccine. It is used for preventive purposes to prevent pneumococcal infection, including otitis media, pneumonia, meningitis, bronchitis, sepsis (decay). Vaccination Pneumo 23 after a single injection contributes to the formation of active specific immunity to twenty-three serological types of pneumococci in people older than two years. The duration of protection is about five years. The form of release of the vaccine is a syringe dose.
The structure of Pneumo 23 includes most serological types of pneumococcus resistant to penicillin. When using the vaccine in risk groups, the number of cases of pneumonia is reduced by six times.
The use of Pneumo 23 is acceptable in combination with a flu shot, a comprehensive prevention of its complications.
The vaccine is especially indicated:
- persons over sixty-five years old, especially those who are permanently in special institutions where care for the elderly is provided;
- patients often hospitalized or debilitated (suffering from diabetes mellitus, heart, respiratory failure, as well as chronic bronchitis);
- persons with alcohol or nicotine addiction;
- patients with a weakened immune system (having sickle cell anemia, nephrotic syndrome, undergoing splenectomy - removal of the spleen);
- patients with a detected "leakage" of cerebrospinal fluid (cerebrospinal fluid).
Introduction Pneumo 23 is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Primary vaccination is carried out by a single injection of 0.5 ml. Revaccination (repeated administration) is recommended no more often than with a three-year interval (the exception is at-risk patients or patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy) and is administered with a single injection of 0.5 ml.
Vaccination is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity, the presence of an allergic reaction to the previous administration of pneumococcal vaccine. Do not use the drug during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. Use is permissible in the last trimester on the recommendation of a doctor.
It is necessary to postpone vaccination in the development of acute non-infectious and infectious diseases, fever, during an exacerbation of chronic pathologies.
Pneumococcal vaccination can cause side effects, expressed to varying degrees.
So, after the introduction of the drug, redness, pain, swelling or hardening in the injection area is possible. As a rule, these manifestations are moderate and short-term in nature.
In some cases (extremely rare) local reactions of severe course are possible. As a rule, such manifestations are reversible and do not cause any consequences. Most often, such reactions are prone to individuals with a high concentration of anti-pneumococcal antibodies.
In some cases, the temperature rises (up to 39 degrees) and lasts no more than a day after vaccination.
Quincke's edema, urticaria, rash, rarely - anaphylactic reaction are common side effects that the Pneumo 23 vaccine can provoke.
Reviews of parents whose children, on the recommendation of their doctor, were vaccinated with a pneumococcal drug, are mixed. As a rule, the main complaints are presented about adverse events after injection. However, according to experts, the frequent manifestation of undesirable consequences is most likely associated with the characteristics of the child's body. In addition, in many cases, children are not ready for vaccination. According to the recommendations of specialists, before the introduction of vaccination, the child's body must be prepared. For this, the doctor can prescribe certain drugs, recommend a special diet for two to three weeks before vaccination.