What Should I Do If I’m Worried About Side Effects
Dr Cheng said it’s important to call your GP or go to the emergency department if you’re experiencing more serious side effects such as difficulty breathing and chest pain.
And if you have a severe reaction to the first dose, your health provider can advise you about whether to go ahead with a second shot of Pfizer or to have the AstraZeneca vaccine instead.
It’s also important to report any unexpected side effects either directly to the TGA or to your state or territory health unit.
This can be done on your behalf by your health professional, but there are a range of self-reporting options available.
Unusual side effects can be reported online via the TGA website or you can call your local health department.
AusVaxSafety also texts some patients three days after their the first or second dose of any COVID-19 vaccine with a link to a reporting platform.
Reporting side effects is important because it helps health units build a better picture of adverse reactions people may experience after receiving the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines, Dr Cheng said.
It can also help health units pick up on rare side effects that haven’t been seen in clinical trials.
“The more people report, the more data we have to actively look for any potential side effects,” Dr Cheng said.
Have You Experienced A Pneumonia Vaccine Reaction
Proper technique is critical for intramuscular vaccines such as the pneumococcal vaccine. Specifically, the Center for Disease Control advises that the needle should be inserted at a 90-degree angle to the skin, as close to the deltoid muscle as possible. While this may seem fool-proof, mistakes are common and can lead to tendonitis and other musculoskeletal injuries in the shoulder and arm. Improper vaccine administration can allow for the needle to cause damage to the nerves, muscles and other subcutaneous soft tissue.Additionally, many inactivated vaccines contain an adjuvant. Adjuvants are vaccine components that enhance the immune response to an antigen. These components can cause a local reaction to an improperly placed needle, causing pain, redness and swelling.The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has received reports of people fainting after nearly all vaccines, including the pneumococcal vaccines. Although many episodes of vasovagal syncope occur due to the vaccination process rather than the vaccine itself, there is not yet a definitive answer as to whether an ingredient in the vaccine is responsible for the reaction. Syncope is most commonly seen among adolescents who have certain prior medical conditions and can result in hospitalizations for either evaluation or because of an injury after the episode.
How Does This Medication Work What Will It Do For Me
Pneumococcal vaccine belongs to the class of medications called vaccines. It is used for the prevention of pneumonia caused by the 23 different types of pneumococci bacteria that are contained in the vaccine. Pneumococcal bacteria can cause many diseases ranging from pneumonia and meningitis to severe infections of the blood.
The pneumococcal vaccine increases your defenses against infection with pneumococcal bacteria by introducing very small amounts of bacterial components into the bloodstream. These components of bacteria are enough to stimulate the production of your own antibodies , which will remain in the body ready to attack any future bacteria that may cause infection.
It is important to remember that vaccination only protects you from those bacteria that are actually contained in the vaccine. The vaccination is designed to prevent infection caused by the most common types of pneumonia-causing bacteria.
The vaccine is recommended for everyone 2 years of age or older who are at an increased risk of having complications or dying from pneumococcal pneumonia. These include people:
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
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Lower Response To Prevnar 13
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
Prevnar 13 might not work as well in people with a weak immune system. This can put you at higher risk of pneumococcal infections, even after you’ve received the vaccine. If you have any medical conditions, such as HIV or cancer, or take medications that weaken your immune system, such as high-dose corticosteroids or transplant medications, don’t receive Prevnar 13 until you’ve spoken with your provider.
No Side Effects From Your Covid Vaccine Heres What It Means
Most vaccines have some side effects, and the COVID-19 vaccine is no different.
Health experts have reassured us that a sore arm where the needle went in, tiredness, muscle pain, headache, fever or nausea are normal side effects, nothing to worry about and signs that our immune system is working as it should.
Thats left a question mark for the many people who experience no side effects at all. In fact, theyre asking
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Who Should Get The Vaccine
People over age 65. As you age, your immune system doesnât work as well as it once did. Youâre more likely to have trouble fighting off a pneumonia infection. All adults over age 65 should get the vaccine.
Those with weakened immune systems. Many diseases can cause your immune system to weaken, so itâs less able to fight off bugs like pneumonia.
If you have heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, asthma, or COPD , youâre more likely to have a weakened immune system, which makes you more likely to get pneumonia.
The same goes for people who receive chemotherapy, people who have had organ transplants, and people with HIV or AIDS.
People who smoke. If youâve smoked for a long time, you could have damage to the small hairs that line the insides of your lungs and help filter out germs. When theyâre damaged, they arenât as good at stopping those bad germs.
Heavy drinkers. If you drink too much alcohol, you may have a weakened immune system. Your white blood cells donât work as well as they do for people with a healthy immune system.
People getting over surgery or a severe illness. If you were in the hospital ICU and needed help breathing with a ventilator, youâre at risk of getting pneumonia. The same is true if youâve just had major surgery or if youâre healing from a serious injury. When your immune system is weak because of illness or injury or because itâs helping you get better from surgery, you canât fight off germs as well as you normally can.
Pneumonia Vaccine Side Effects
Most people who get a pneumococcal vaccine do not experience many side effects. While theres always a chance of side effects for any medication, the pneumonia vaccine side effects are usually mild and go away on their own after a few days, with serious reactions being rare.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccineMild problems following pneumococcal conjugate vaccination can include:
- Reactions at the injection site
- Redness
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Elderly People More Likely To Experience Side
People over 65 were also less likely to have side effects than people under 65, regardless of which vaccine they received. Data from millions of v-safe participants indicate that injection site pain is common after both the first and second doses of either mRNA-based vaccine. Systemic reactions, including fatigue, headache, myalgia, chills, fever, and joint pain, occurred in participants after the first dose, although they were more frequently reported after the second dose among both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine recipients.
Pregnancy And Pneumococcal Immunisation
Immunisation against pneumococcal disease is not usually recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Women who are at increased risk of pneumococcal infection should be vaccinated before pregnancy or as soon as possible after giving birth. Speak with your doctor about whether you are at risk of infection and should be immunised.
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Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Along with its needed effects, pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine:
More common
- skin itching, rash, or redness
- sneezing
- swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
- tightness in the chest
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloody or cloudy urine
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- dilated neck veins
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- lightheadedness
- lower back or side pain
- muscle aches and pains
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- rapid, shallow breathing
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- sweating
- swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
- trouble sleeping
- weight gain
What Are Common Side Effects Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine
The most common side effects of Pneumovax23 are injection-site pain or soreness , swelling or lump , headache , weakness and fatigue , muscle aches , and fever .
For Prevnar13, the most common side effects depended on the age of the patient:
- Infants and toddlers vaccinated at 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months of age: Irritability , injection site tenderness , decreased appetite , decreased sleep , increased sleep , fever , injection site redness , and injection site swelling .
- Children aged 5 through 17 years: Injection site tenderness , injection site redness , injection site swelling , irritability , decreased appetite , increased sleep , fever , and decreased sleep .
- Adults aged 18 years and older: Pain at the injection site , fatigue , headache , muscle pain , joint pain , decreased appetite , injection site redness , injection site swelling , limitation of arm movement , vomiting , fever , chills , and rash .
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Effectiveness Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine
Children respond very well to the pneumococcal vaccine.
The introduction of this vaccine into the NHS childhood vaccination schedule has resulted in a large reduction in pneumococcal disease.
The pneumococcal vaccine given to older children and adults is thought to be around 50 to 70% effective at preventing pneumococcal disease.
Both types of pneumococcal vaccine are inactivated or “killed” vaccines and do not contain any live organisms. They cannot cause the infections they protect against.
Allergic Reactions To The Pneumococcal Vaccine
Very occasionally, a child or adult may have a serious allergic reaction after either type of pneumococcal vaccination.
Known as an anaphylactic reaction, this can cause life-threatening breathing difficulties.
Anaphylaxis is a rare, serious side effect that can happen within minutes of the injection. It’s very alarming at the time, but it can be treated with adrenaline.
The doctor or nurse giving the vaccine will have been trained to know how to treat anaphylactic reactions.
Provided they receive treatment promptly, children and adults make a complete recovery.
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What To Do If Your Child Is Unwell After Pneumococcal Vaccination
Most common side effects in babies and young children, such as swelling or redness at the injection site, usually go away within a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
If your child develops a fever, keep them cool. Make sure they do not wear too many layers of clothes or blankets, and give them cool drinks.
You can also give them a dose of infant paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid according to the instructions on the bottle.
Read an NHS leaflet about the common side effects of vaccination that may occur in babies and children under the age of 5, and how to treat them.
What Other Drugs Will Affect Pneumococcal Polysaccharides Vaccine
Before receiving this vaccine, tell your vaccination provider about all other vaccines you have recently received, especially a zoster vaccine.
Also tell the vaccination provider if you have recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:
-
steroid medicine
-
medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders or
-
medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect PPSV, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
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Pharmacist Tips For Prevnar 13
Ask your provider if Prevnar 13 is right for you before you receive this vaccine because it might not be appropriate for everyone.
Prevnar 13 is injected into the muscle, typically in the shoulder of toddlers, children, and adults. Infants are usually given the injection in the thigh.
Wait until you are healthy to get the Prevnar 13. This will help make sure your immune system protects you as best as it can. If you have a mild sickness, such as a cold, you can still get Prevnar 13. But if you feel moderately to severely sick, wait until you recover before getting this vaccine.
Make sure to keep a record of all your immmunizations and show it to your provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including Prevnar 13. This is helpful for your provider or pharmacist in figuring out what vaccines you need.
Read the vaccine information statement for more information on Prevnar 13.
If you develop a severe reaction to Prevnar 13, you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Prices for Prevnar 13 start at just $217.00 with a GoodRx coupon. Theyâre fast, easy-to-use and free!
What Are Some Side Effects That I Need To Call My Doctor About Right Away
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash hives itching red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever wheezing tightness in the chest or throat trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking unusual hoarseness or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
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What Is Pneumococcal Disease
Pneumococcal disease is caused by a specific type of bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae. Its most common in children, but can also cause significant complications in older adults or people with chronic conditions.
The pneumococcal bacterium is contagious, which means that it can be passed from one person to another. This typically happens through direct contact with respiratory secretions like saliva or mucus.
Developing a pneumococcal infection can lead to a variety of conditions, some of which can be life threatening. Conditions caused by pneumococcal infections include:
Vaccination against a pneumococcal infection helps prevent you or your child from becoming sick from pneumococcal diseases. It also aids in preventing these diseases from spreading within your community.
Vaccination cant always prevent all cases of pneumococcal disease. Nevertheless, according to the , even just 1 dose can help protect against a variety of pneumococcal infections.
There are two vaccines available for pneumococcal disease:
People Who Should Receive The Pneumococcal Vaccine
A number of medical conditions put people at higher risk of pneumococcal disease and people with these conditions require immunisation.
You should speak with your doctor about whether you are at risk.
Pneumococcal immunisation is required for people who have:
- no spleen or have a spleen with poor function
- a weakened immune system includes people with immune deficiency, HIV infection, people receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy, people who have received a transplant or people with a genetic immune deficiency
- leakage of fluid from around the spine and brain
- cochlear implants
It is also required for people who:
- smoke
- use alcohol to a harmful degree
- were born prematurely .
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People Who Received Moderna Vax Had More Side Effects
Researchers of this study say that a greater percentage of participants who received the Moderna vaccine, compared with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, reported reactogenicity this pattern was more pronounced after the second dose. Reactogenicity refers to a subset of reactions that occur soon after vaccination. People who got a Moderna shot were more likely to have a side effect — 73 per cent had an injection site reaction, compared with 65 per cent of people who had a Pfizer/BioNTech dose.
What Are The Symptoms Of Pneumonia
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to severe. The symptoms depend on the type of germ that caused the infection, your age and overall health. Mild signs and symptoms of pneumonia are often similar the symptoms of a cold or flu, but the effects of pneumonia last longer.
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:
- Chest pain when you breathe or cough
- Confusion or changes in mental awareness
- Cough, which may produce phlegm
- Fatigue
- Fever, sweating and shaking chills
- Lower-than-normal body temperature
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
Newborns and infants may not show any sign or symptoms of the infection. However, they may vomit, have a fever, cough, be restless or tired, or have difficulty breathing and eating.
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Types Of Side Effects
To understand the range of possible vaccination side effects events, it is useful to compare a vaccine with relatively few associated side effects, such as the vaccine for Haemophilus influenza type B, with a vaccine known to have many potential side effects, such as the infrequently used smallpox vaccine .
Haemophilus influenza type B is a bacterium that can cause serious infections, including meningitis, pneumonia, epiglottitis, and sepsis. The CDC recommends that children receive a series of Hib vaccinations starting when they are two months old.
Smallpox is a serious infection, fatal In 30% to 40% of cases, and caused by the Variola major or Variola minor virus. No wild smallpox cases have been reported since the 1970s. The World Health Organization has declared it eradicated.
The information below about side effects of Hib and smallpox vaccination is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.