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pneumococcal 23-valent vaccine
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
What is pneumococcal 23-valent vaccine?
Generic Name: pneumococcal 23-valent vaccine
Other Brand Names:
Pneumovax 23, Pnu-Imune 23
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 pneumococcal 23-valent vaccine (4)
Background: Retired from the Army in Nov and had a complete physical. Everything was fine e...
