Checklist before pneumococcal vaccination

Storage:

• vaccines should be stored in the original packaging at +2°C to +8°C and protected from light. All vaccines are sensitive to some extent to heat and cold. Heat speeds up the decline in potency of most vaccines, thus reducing their shelf life

Both pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and pnumococcal polysacharide vaccine (PPV) are supplied as single doses of 0.5ml.

Contraindications:

• there are very few individuals who cannot receive pneumococcal vaccines
• if there is doubt, appropriate advice should be sought from a consultant paediatrician, immunisation co-ordinator or consultant in communicable disease control rather than withholding the vaccine
• the vaccines should not be given to those who have had:
  • a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccines
  • a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to any component of the vaccines

PCV

• storage can cause the vaccine to separate into a white deposit and clear supernatant
  • vaccine should be shaken well to obtain a white homogenous suspension and should not be used if there is any residual particulate matter after shaking
• dosage and schedule:
  • for children under one year of age
    • first dose of 0.5ml of PCV (at 2 months of age)
    • second dose of 0.5ml, two months after the first dose (at 4 months of age)
    • third dose of 0.5ml should be given at 13 months of age

PPV

• vaccine should be inspected before being given to check that it is clear and colourless. Vaccines must not be given intravenously
• dosage and schedule:
  • adults over 65 years and at-risk groups aged two years and over
  • a single dose of 0.5ml of PPV

Reference:

1. Immunisation Against Infectious Disease - "The Green Book".Chapter 25 Pneumococcal (August 2006)