Frequently Asked Questions about Pneumococcal Disease and Prevnar®
What is invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)?
What kinds of infections are included in pneumococcal disease?
Can't these infections just be treated with antibiotics?
Which factors could increase my child's risk?
Is my child at risk?
How can I help protect my child from invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)?
What might I expect after my child is immunized with Prevnar®?
- Q:What is invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)?
- A:Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a group of potentially life-threatening infections, all caused by the same microscopic bacterium—Streptococcus pneumoniae (strep' ta KAH' kus new-Mo ne aay).
- Q:What kinds of infections are included in pneumococcal disease?
- A:You have probably heard of several of these infections, such as bacterial meningitis (an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord) and bacteremia (an infection in the blood).
Prior to the availability of Prevnar®, Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States. The annual incidence of pneumococcal meningitis in children between 1 to 23 months of age was approximately 7 cases per 100,000 persons. Pneumococcal meningitis in childhood has been associated with 8% mortality and may result in neurological problems (25%) and hearing loss (32%) in survivors. Pneumococcal bacteremia affected approximately 17,000 children under the age of 5 every year. Although it often resolves on its own, bacteremia can cause serious infections such as sepsis and meningitis. These infections occur when bacteria continue to multiply in the blood and spread to other sites in the body. Sometimes this bacterium can spread to the blood following pneumonia (an infection of the lungs).
Not all pneumococcal infections are invasive or life-threatening, such as acute otitis media (AOM). AOM is an inflammation of the middle ear that can be caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria. S. pneumoniae is responsible for 20% to 40% of bacterial AOM. AOM can cause ear pain, irritability, loss of appetite, and fever.
Complications of AOM include fluid remaining in the ear (persistent effusion), which can lead to hearing loss and problems with language development. Over 60% of all children experience an episode of AOM by the age of 1 year, and more than 90% have had an episode by the age of 5 years. Otitis media and other ear tube disorders are so common that they result in nearly 25 million doctor visits per year. AOM and its complications have been estimated to cost the United States approximately 5 billion dollars annually (1998 dollars).
- Q:Can't these infections just be treated with antibiotics?
- A:They can be, but you have probably heard stories about antibiotic resistance and how widespread use of antibiotics has caused them to be ineffective at times. This is of particular concern in patients with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). And this is why it is important to immunize your infant or toddler to help prevent these infections.
- Q:Which factors could increase my child's risk?
- A:The following factors may increase your child's risk for IPD:
Age
____
Children younger than 2 years of age
Group child care attendance
____
Children younger than 5 years of age who spend
4 hours per week with at least two unrelated children outside of the homeRecent ear infections
____
Children younger than 5 years of age with ear infections within the previous 3 months
Recent antibiotic use
____
Children younger than 5 years of age who have received at least one course of antibiotics within the previous 3 months
Family background
____
Children who are African American, Native American, or Native Alaskan
Other underlying illnesses or medical conditions
____
Children with cancer or chronic diseases (illnesses which last long or occur often), such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or sickle cell disease, or those whose immune systems have been weakened by chemotherapy or HIV infection
____
Children with cochlear implants (an implantable device to treat hearing loss)
- Q:Is my child at risk?
- A:If you answer "yes" to any one of the questions below, your child may be at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD).
- Is your child less than 2 years of age?
- Is your child less than 5 years of age and in group child care?
- Is your child less than 5 years of age, and has he or she had an ear infection in the past 3 months?
- Is your child less than 5 years of age, and has he or she received at least one course of antibiotics within the last 3 months?
- Is your child African American? Native American? Native Alaskan?
- Does your child have a chronic disease (eg, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, sickle cell disease), or is he or she immunologically compromised?
- Does your child have a cochlear implant (an implantable device to treat hearing loss)?
____ Yes
____ Yes
____ Yes
____ Yes
____ Yes
____ Yes
____ Yes____ No
____ No
____ No
____ No
____ No
____ No
____ No
- Q:How can I help protect my child from invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)?
- A:There's a way you can help protect your infant or toddler—with Prevnar®, Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine, Diphtheria CRM197 Protein. Prevnar® is a vaccine that can help protect against IPD.
Prevnar® is for infants and toddlers as part of their routine recommended vaccination schedule. For infants, the routine schedule is at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months of age.
If your child is older and has not been previously vaccinated with Prevnar®, ask your child's health care provider about an appropriate Prevnar® schedule.
- Q:What might I expect after my child is immunized with Prevnar®?
- A:Ask your child's health care provider about the risks and benefits of Prevnar® and if Prevnar® is right for your child.
In clinical studies, the most frequently reported adverse events included injection site reactions, fever (38ºC/100.4ºF), irritability, drowsiness, restless sleep, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash.
Risks are associated with all vaccines, including Prevnar®. Hypersensitivity to any vaccine component, including diphtheria toxoid, is a contraindication to its use. Prevnar® does not protect 100% of children vaccinated.
Ask your health care professional about the risks and benefits of Prevnar® and if Prevnar® is right for your child.
Please see Prescribing Information.
