Pediatrician Questions Pneumococcal Infections

Is the pneumococcal vaccine important?

I came across an optional vaccine called pneumococcal for my younger baby which was not available at the time of my elder son. Is this vaccine important?

8 Answers

Yes it is very important to protect from bacterial diseases
Yes, it prevents meningitis and pneumonia.
Pneumococcal vaccine is not optional. It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics at 2,4,6 and 15 months for all children. It is protective of the most common strains that causes pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media and sinusitis. It has shown a protective coverage for the common strains that we do not see anymore.
It is not optional, and is required for all pre schools. It can save your child’s life. It is an important vaccine.
Yes, it is extremely important for infants as well as for senior citizens and for those who have immune deficiencies.
The vaccine is exceedingly important. It should be given at age 2 mo, 4 mo, 6 mo and 12 mo. It has been available for many years. It started as Prevnar 7 and improved to contain 13 strains. If you are referring to the pnuemovax 23, that is recommended for children with risk factors such as heart disease or certain anemias, have had their spleen removed, and put them at greater risk.
It is important.
It is very important and the bacteria that the vaccine is for can cause pneumonia, ear infections, meningitis, etc. It is a dead vaccine, so your child cannot get a weakened form of the illness from the shot. It has saved a lot of young children's lives since it has been available. I highly recommend it.