Children:
- 1. Children 2 years of age and older
with previous serious pneumo- coccal infections such as meningitis
or sepsis (infection in the blood) or with long term illnesses
that are associated with a high risk of getting serious pneu-
mococcal infections. This includes children with abnormal function
or removal of the spleen, as well as those who have sickle cell
disease nephrotic syndrome (a type of kidney disease) or CSF leaks
(leaks of cerebrospina fluid which surrounds the brain and spinal
cord), or who have diseases that lower the body s resistance to
infections or are taking drugs that lower the body's resistance
to infections.
2. Children 2 years of age and older infected with the AIDS virus
both With and without symptoms
(Note Frequent disease of the upper respiratory system including
infections of the ear or sinuses. in children who are otherwise
reality, are not reasons to use this vaccine.
SPECIAL GROUPS:
Persons living in special pieces or settings such as certain Native
American (i e . American Indians) papuledone have a high risk
of pneumococcal disease Be cause other Alaskans also live in similar
places or sen tings we believe they may also be at increased risk
of pneumococcal disease The Alaska Division of Public health recommends
similar use of pneumococcal vaccine for all Alaskans.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Although this vaccine may not be as effective in some If there
Is doubt as to whether or not a person for whom vaccine is indicated
has previously received pneumococcal vaccine administration of
vaccine is recommended
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS:
About half of those who are given pneumococcal vaccine have very
mild side effects such as redness and pain at the injection site
Less than 1 percent of those given pneumococcal vaccine may develop
fever muscle aches, and severe local reactions. Serious side effects,
such as severe allergic reactions have rarely been reported. Revaccination
after periods longer than 13 months from the first vaccination
has not been shown to Increase the occurrence of side effects.
As with any drug or vaccine, there is a rare possibility that
allergic or more serious reactions or even death could occur.
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REVACCINATION:
Revaccination should be considered for certain groups
- Persons at highest risk of fatal pneumococcal infection. such
as those with abnormal function or removal of the spleen who received
the original pneumococcal vaccine (between 1977 and 1983), or
who received the current vaccine (available from 1983 to the present)
6 or more years ago.
- Other person shown to lose protection rapidly such a persons
with nephrotic syndrome kidney failure, or transplants. who received
the current vaccine (available from 1983 to the present) 6 or
more years ago.
- Children aged 10 years or younger with
neprotic syndrome, abnormal function or removal of the spleen,
or sickle cell anemia who received the vaccine 3 to 5 years ago
- Although studies have not documented an excessive
risk of fatal pneumococcal infection in Alaskans, a high rate
of infection has been documented in Alaska Natives. The Alaska
Division of Public Health recommends that all Alaskans for whom
pneumococcal vaccine is indicated should be revaccinated every
6 years.
PREGNANCY:
The safety of pneumococcal vaccine for pregnant women has not been
studied. It should not be given to healthy pregnant women Women who
are a high risk of pneumococcal disease and who are candidates for
pneumococcal vaccine ideally should be vaccinated before pregnancy
QUESTIONS:
If you have any questions about pneumococcal disease or pneumococcal
polysaccharide vaccine, please ask now or call your doctor or health
department
REACTIONS:
If the person who received the vaccine gets sick and visits a doctor,
hospital, or clinic during the 4 weeks after receiving the vaccine,
please report it to.
Immunization Program
Section of Epidemiology
3601 "1 Street, Suite 576
P. 0. Box 240249
Anchorage, AK 99524-0249
907 561-4406
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