Pneumovax II

How does it work?

Pneumovax II is a pneumococcal vaccine that contains extracts from 23 of the most common types of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. These bacteria are responsible for causing invasive diseases such as pneumonia, blood poisoning and meningitis. The vaccine works by provoking the body's immune response to the bacteria, without causing the diseases.

When the body is exposed to foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, the immune system produces antibodies against them. Antibodies help the body recognise and kill the foreign organisms. They then remain in the body to help protect the body against future infections with the same organism. This is known as active immunity.

The immune system produces different antibodies for each foreign organism it encounters. This establishes a pool of antibodies that helps protect the body from various different diseases.

Vaccines contain extracts or inactivated forms of bacteria or viruses that cause disease. These altered forms of the organisms stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against them, but don't actually cause disease themselves. The antibodies produced remain in the body so that if the organism is encountered naturally, the immune system can recognise it and attack it, thus preventing it from causing disease.

Each bacteria or virus stimulates the immune system to produce a specific type of antibody. This means that different vaccines are needed to prevent different diseases.

Pneumovax II contains inactivated extracts from 23 of the most common types of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. It stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against these bacteria and thus is given to prevent the diseases that they can cause.

Pneumococcal vaccine is now part of the childhood immunisation schedule for children under two years of age. However, a different pneumococcal vaccine called Prevenar is used to immunise this age group. The Pneumovax II vaccine is not recommended for children under two years of age, because it does not stimulate sufficient numbers of antibodies to be produced in this age group.

Pneumovax II is given to immunise adults and children aged two years and over in whom pneumococcal infection may give rise to dangerous complications. This includes people aged over 65 years, people with chronic heart, lung, liver and kidney diseases, people with diabetes, those with a weakened immune system due to disease (including HIV) or treatment (eg chemotherapy, radiotherapy, high dose corticosteroids), people with a malfunctioning spleen, eg sickle cell disease, or who have had their spleens removed, and people who have had cochlear implants.

The vaccination is usually given as an injection into the muscle (intramuscular) of the upper arm.

Some vaccines remain effective for a lifetime, while others have to be updated after a few years. With the Pneumovax vaccine, one dose is usually enough. However, a booster dose is recommended every five years for people without a spleen, and those with a dysfunctioning spleen, eg sickle cell disease, or chronic kidney disease.

What is it used for?

Preventing invasive pneumococcal disease (eg pneumonia, meningitis or blood poisoning) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria in adults and children aged two years and over, who would be at risk of complications if they contracted these diseases (see details above).

Warning!

People whose immune system is underactive, for example due to diseases such as HIV or AIDS, or treatment with immunosuppressant medicines such as chemotherapy or corticosteroids, may not produce an adequate immune response to this vaccine and may need further doses. For further advice talk to your doctor.

Use with caution in

Blood clotting disorders, eg haemophilia

Reduced platelet count in the blood

Not to be used in

Sudden feverish illness

Children under two years of age (because it does not stimulate sufficient numbers of antibodies to be produced in this age group. The Prevenar pneumococcal vaccine should be used to vaccinate children under two.)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this vaccine when given during pregnancy has not been studied. However, as it contains inactivated virus it is not expected to cause any harm to the developing baby. The vaccine should be given with caution during pregnancy, and only if the potential benefits outweigh any risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

The effect of this vaccine on a breastfeeding child after the mother is given the vaccine have not been studied. However, it is unlikely to cause any harm. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Pain, swelling, redness and hardening of the skin at the injection site

Fever (pyrexia)

Nausea and vomiting

Headache

Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia)

A general feeling of being unwell (malaise)

Pain in the muscles and joints

Pins and needles (paraesthesia)

Swollen glands (lymph nodes)

Itchy rash (urticaria)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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