• Vaccine Name: Pneumovax 23
• Target Pathogen: Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Target Disease: Pneumonia
• Product Name: Pneumococcal Vaccine, Polyvalent
• Tradename: Pneumovax 23
• Manufacturer: Merck & Co, Inc.
• Vaccine Ontology ID: VO_0000088
• CDC CVX code: 33
• Type: Subunit vaccine
• Status: Licensed
• Location Licensed: USA (License #0002)
• Host Species for Licensed Use: Human
• Preparation: It consists of a mixture of highly purified capsular polysaccharides from the 23 most prevalent or invasive pneumococcal types of Streptococcus pneumoniae, including the six serotypes that most frequently cause invasive drug-resistant pneumococcal infections among children and adults in the United States (FDA: PNEUMOVAX 23).
• Storage: Store unopened and opened vials at 2-8°C (36-46°F).
• Contraindication: Hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine.
• Description: Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine provides at least 85% protection in those under 55 years of age for five years or longer. Immunization is suggested for those at highest risk of infection, including those 65 years or older. The vaccine is generally given with a single lifetime dose (Wiki: S. pneumoniae). The most common adverse experiences reported with PNEUMOVAX 23 in clinical trials were: Local reaction at injection site including soreness, erythema, warmth, swelling and induration, and fever <102°F. In post-marketing experience, injection site cellulitis-like reactions were reported rarely; between 1989 and 2002, when approximately 43 million doses were distributed, the annual reporting rate was <2/100,000 doses (Merck: PNEUMOVAX 23).

Human Response

• Immune Response: It has been established that the purified pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides induce antibody production and that such antibody is effective in preventing pneumococcal disease (Merck: PNEUMOVAX 23).
• Side Effects: Side effects of vaccination include: redness and soreness of the injection site, fever, and chills (Merck: PNEUMOVAX 23).
• Efficacy: In many clinical studies on the efficacy of the vaccine, it has been found to have a 70-90% efficacy rate (FDA: PNEUMOVAX 23).