Pneumovax 23
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
What is Pneumovax 23?
Generic Name: pneumococcal 23-valent vaccine
Other Brand Names:
Pnu-Imune 23, pneumococcal 23-valent vaccine
Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection caused by a bacteria. Pneumococcal bacteria can
infect the sinuses and inner ear. It can also infect the lungs, blood, and brain and these conditions can
be fatal.
Pneumococcal polysaccharides vaccine (PPV) is used to prevent infection caused by
pneumococcal bacteria. PPV contains 23 of the most common types of pneumococcal bacteria.
PPV works by exposing you to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria,
which causes your body to develop immunity to the disease. PPV will not treat an active infection that
has already developed in the body.
PPV is for use only in adults and children who are at least 2 years old. For children
younger than 2 years old, another vaccine called Prevnar (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine [PCV]
7-valent) is used, usually given between the ages of 2 months and 15 months.
Becoming infected with pneumococcal disease (such as pneumonia or meningitis) is much more
dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, this
vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Like any vaccine, PPV may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Posts on Pneumovax 23 (15)
how often - Immunization & Vaccine Community
- Oct 30, 2009Hep B shot during TX - Hepatitis C Community
- Sep 04, 2008What to do ? - Pediatrics Community
- Feb 19, 2009
My 3 /12 started off with Excema as an infant. He is cronically sick with sinusitis. He was...
URGENT NEED HELP - Allergy Community
- Jan 14, 2008
I was diagnosed with Bacterial Pneumopnia March 30 at the ER. I was hospitalized for 4 day...
