The Pneumonia Vaccine

I had my pneumonia vaccination last week. I personally requested this to Dr. RD because I don't want to be sick anymore. I got this in RITM and I paid P1,500 for the shot. Ate Ellen administered it and she was great. She told me that only a few are willing to get these vaccinations because they are expensive but I told her that it is more expensive to get sick. I spent more than P300k in my 10 day stay in my private hospital before because of my recurrent pneumonia and I dont want to take that risk ever again.

What is the Pneumonia Vaccine?

Pneumococcal vaccination is a method of preventing a specific type of lung infection (pneumonia) that is caused by Pneumococcus bacterium. There are more than 80 different types of pneumococcus bacteria-23 of these are covered in the current vaccination. The vaccine is injected into the body to stimulate the normal immune system to produce antibodies that are directed against pneumococcus bacteria.This method of stimulating the normal immune system to be directed against a specific microbe is called immunization. Pneumococcal vaccination is also referred to as Pneumococcal immunization.

Pneumococcal vaccination does not protect against pneumonia caused by microbes other than pneumococcus bacteria, nor does it protect against pneumococcal bacteria strains not included in the vaccine. It is reassuring do note that of the 80 different serotypes, the vast majority of infections are caused by the 23 serotypes contained in the vaccine.

How is pneumococcal vaccine administered?

The pneumococcal vaccine is given as one dose for most people. The vaccine is injected as a liquid solution of 0.5 mL into the muscle (intramuscular or IM), typically deltoid muscle, or under the skin (subcutaneous or SC). The area injected is typically sterilized by rubbing alcohol onto the skin prior to the injection.

Persons vaccinated prior to age 65 should be vaccinated at age 65 if five or more years have passed since the first dose. For people with lack of spleen function (such as in sickle cell disease or after spleen removal), transplant patients, patients with chronic kidney disease, immunosuppressed or immunodeficient persons, and others at highest risk of fatal infection, a second dose should be given at least five years after first dose.

What are side effects of pneumococcal vaccine?

Pneumococcal vaccine uncommonly causes side effects. Reported side effects include soreness and/or redness at the site of the injection, fever, rash, and allergic reactions.

I was told by Dr. RD that at any CD4 level, we can have vaccinated. It is of utmost importance that we get these preventive measures to better able us to fight pneumonia.

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