PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS

Salam..

Baby korang kan, amik tak vaksin pnenumococcal nih???..(vaksin yang bapak mahal). Kena ambik 3 dos kan? Saya mula2 ingat tk nak ambik untuk Auni tapi doktor suggest suh ambik sebab Auni ada simptom2 nak dapat lelah. Dos pertama dah ambik masa dia 7 bulan..pastu terus lupa bila lagi nak kena ambik. Asik la lupa nak call UMRA tu. Bila dah teringat ni try la cari kat google..ni la info yang saya dapat.. SUMBER DARI SINI


FDA today approved the first vaccine to prevent invasive pneumococcal diseases in infants and toddlers -- diseases which can cause brain damage and, in rare cases, death. The vaccine prevents invasive diseases caused by the organism Streptococcus pneumonia (also known as Pneumococcus) including bacteria (an infection of the bloodstream) and meningitis, an infection of the lining of the brain or spinal cord.

The vaccine -- Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine (Diphtheria CRM197Protein)-- will be marketed as Prevnar by a unit of Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, a Division of American Home Products Corporation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Infants can receive the vaccine as a series of four inoculations administered at 2,4,6, and 12-15 months of age. For children who cannot receive the vaccine starting at age two months, it is recommended that parents see their health care provider for alternative schedules.

Prevnar is the first multivalent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine for children under the age of two. It targets the most common seven strains of pneumococcus that account for approximately 80 percent of invasive disease in infants. It is manufactured by attaching the polysaccharides (purified surface components of the different strains) to a genetically modified nontoxic form of the diphtheria toxin protein called CRM197.

"This new vaccine is great news for parents and their children because now, for the first time, we have a highly effective way to prevent a major cause of meningitis and serious blood infections in the most susceptible children -- those under two years of age." said Dr. Jane Henney, Commissioner of Food and Drugs. "When we prevent these infections, we are also preventing brain damage and mortality from pneumococcal diseases."

It is estimated that each year in the U.S. there are about 16,000 cases of pneumococcal bacteremia and 1400 cases of pneumococcal meningitis among children under age five. Children under the age of two are at highest risk for infection. In up to half the cases of meningitis, brain damage and hearing loss occurs and about 10 percent die.

Clinical trials included a large multicenter safety and efficacy study conducted at Northern California Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, Calif. The controlled, double- blind trial enrolled approximately 38,000 children, about half of whom received Prevnar. The vaccine was given at 2,4, 6 and 12-15 months of age along with routinely recommended vaccines. In this trial, the vaccine was 100 percent effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease caused by the seven strains of pneumococcus in the vaccine. The vaccine was approximately 90 percent effective in preventing invasive disease for illnesses caused by all pneumococcal subtypes.

This vaccine is not indicated for use in adults or as a substitute for other approved pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines approved for high risk children over the age of two.

Side-effects in the trials were generally mild and included local injection site reactions, irritability, drowsiness and decreased appetite. Approximately 21 percent of the children had fevers over 100.3 compared to about 14 percent in the control group not receiving Prevnar.

The vaccine's effectiveness in preventing ear infections, another infection caused by pneumococcus, has not been evaluated by FDA.

Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. There are different types of bacterial meningitis. Before the approval of the first Haemophilus influenza type b (HIB) conjugate vaccine in 1990 for infants, Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, but today Streptococcus pneumonia is one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis.

This is not a vaccine against ear infections as many think. It does decrease ear infections somewhat but it is for preventing meningitis, bacteremia (blood infection --- it killed Jim Hensen of the Muppets) and decrease pneumonia and ear infections caused by this germ.

Dose for ages:

0-6m -------- 3 doses and a booster at 15 months
6-12m ------ 2 doses and a booster at 15 months
12-24m ----- 2 doses
2-4y -------- 1 dose only is susceptible to infections.
>4y --------- not given usually

Some insurance companies are paying for it and some are not yet. We will give it as soon as we can.

Here is the AAP handout for this vaccine:

Pneumococcal Infection and Vaccine

Pneumococcus is a type of bacteria that can attack different parts of the body and cause many serious infections including:

• Meningitis (brain)
• Bacteremia (blood stream)
• Pneumonia (lungs)
• Sinusitis (sinus membranes)
• Otitis media (ears)

These infections can be dangerous to very young children, the elderly, and people with certain high-risk health conditions.

Pneumococcal infection
What is pneumococcal infection?

Pneumococcal bacteria live naturally in humans in the back of the nose. Many people carry the bacteria and never Set sick. In fact, being a carrier helps boost one's natural immunity to the disease. Others are not immune and can get very sick from the infections caused by the bacteria.

Pneumococcal infections occur most often during the winter months. They spread from person to person the same way a cold or the flu spreads - by droplets passed through the air from coughing or sneezing, and through direct contact such as touching unwashed hands or kissing. The disease may spread quickly, especially in places where there are a lot of children, like child care centers and preschools.

Very young children do not have fully developed immune systems. This makes them more at risk from bacteria] infections like pneumococcus. In addition, pneumococcal infections can be life threatening for people with certain health problems such as:

• HIV infection or other immune system disorders
• Sickle-cell disease
• White cell cancers like leukemia or lymphoma
• Chronic lung, heart, or kidney disease
• A removed spleen or one that doesn't work properly
• Bone marrow or organ transplants

Common pneumococcal infections and their symptoms
Bacteremia and meningitis
Pneumococcal bacteremia and pneumococcal meningitis occur when pneumococcal bacteria get into the bloodstream and/or the central nervous system. Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood. Meningitis is an infection of the thin lining and blood vessels that cover the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of meningitis include High fever Stiff neck
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Extreme tiredness and/or irritability
• Loss of appetite

Pneumonia
Pneumococcal pneumonia is a chest infection in which the lungs become filled with fluid. Symptoms of pneumonia include
• Cough that may bring up thick yellow-green or bloody mucus
• High fever
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• Extreme tiredness
• Hard and rapid breathing

Sinusitis
Sinusitis occurs when the membranes lining the airfilled pockets in the bone of the face (sinuses) swell. The sinus cavities may fill with fluid. Symptoms of sinusitis include
• Pressure behind the eyes
• Pain in the face
• Trouble breathing through the nose
• Postnasal drip or prolonged runny nose
• Fever
• Toothache

Otitis media
Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. Young children commonly develop middle ear infections when they have colds, the flu, or other viral respiratory infections. Symptoms of an ear infection include
• Ear pain (very young children may pull at their ears because of the pain)
• Fever
• Restlessness or irritability
• Crying
• Runny nose

Diagnosis and treatment of pneumococcal infections
Your pediatrician will be able to tell if your child has a pneumococcal infection by your child's symptoms, a physical examination, and looking at your child's medical history. X-rays, blood tests, and sometimes a spinal tap also may be done to confirm pneumococcal infection in your child.

Prompt treatment with antibiotics is usually effective. In addition, your child may need bed rest and a lot of fluids. In some cases, your child may need to be hospitalized.

Unfortunately, some strains of the pneumococcal bacteria are developing resistance to the antibiotics usually used to kill them. This means that other antibiotics must be used. Your pediatrician will let you know which antibiotic is best for your child.

Prevention of pneumococcal infections

•Teach your children to wash their hands regularly with soap and water. This helps prevent the spread of infection.
•Avoid dust, tobacco smoke, and other substances that may interfere with breathing and make children more likely to set sick.

Pneumococcal vaccine

A vaccine now offers infants and young children protection against pneumococcal infections. It is most effective against the major pneumococcal diseases - bacteremia, meningitis, and pneumonia. The vaccine is minimally effective in preventing otitis media and sinusitis. Pneumococcal vaccine is safe and can be given as a separate injection at the same time as other immunizations.

Who should receive the vaccine?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children younger than 2 years of age receive the Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV7 or Prevnar). A series of doses may be given at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months of age. A "catch-up" immunization schedule is available for children who get a late start.

Some children between the ages of 2 and 5 years who have certain health problems also need pneumococcal vaccine because they are at higher risk of getting serious infections. Two types of vaccines may be given to children in that group. Your pediatrician can explain which vaccine is best for your child.

Pneumococcal vaccines may be given to some children 5 years of age and older, although the risk associated with pneumococcal infections is much lower in older children.

Are there side effects to pneumococcal vaccines?

Most children have no side effects with pneumococcal vaccines. Those side effects that do occur are mild and temporary. The possible side effects include

• Soreness, swelling, and redness where the shot was given
• A mild-to-moderate fever
• Fussiness

These symptoms may begin within 24 hours after the shot and usually go away within 48 to 72 hours.

Talk to your pediatrician to see if your child should be vaccinated for pneumococcal infection and about the possible reactions to these immunizations.

The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

'Me American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 55,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

Now available from the American Academy of Pediatrics ... Guide to Your Child's Symptoms. More than 100 common symptoms are listed alphabetically and designed to enable a parent to quickly identify a symptom, learn its possible cause, and determine how best to proceed. To order this 266-page deluxe hardcover edition, send a check or money order for $19,95, plus $5.50 shipping and handling, to: AAP Publications - Symptoms, PO Box 747, Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0747. Or visit the AAP Web site at http://www.aap.org to order online.

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