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Continuity Clinic Notebook:

Chapter 1: The Prenatal and Well Child Visit

Chapter 1 Index

A. General Information about the well child examination

B. Nutrition Issues

C. Sleep Issues

D. Dental Issues

E. Anticipatory Guidance

F. Screening Tests

G. Immunizations
--Screening Tests and Immunization Schedule

--Influenza - Dx and Prevention
--Varicella Vaccine – 2002

 

Pneumococcal Vaccine: 2002

Introduction:   Prevnar is given to children 2mo, 4mo, 6mo, and 12-15 months of age.  It is a seven-valent vaccine (pneumococcal serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F) conjugated covalently with CRM 197 protein.  These seven strains cause about 85% of the pneumococcal disease in the US.

Side Effects of Vaccine: deemed safe; Fever, soreness most common.

Ages at which vaccine should be administered: High Priority

Age at which start Ages at which given
2 month old 2, 4, 6, 12-15 months
7-11 months of age Two doses 2 months apart; third dose at 12-15 months
12-23 months of age Two doses 2 months apart
24-59 months of age Sickle cell disease: 900-5720:100,000
HIV: 5500-9900:100,000,
Others: chemotherapy induced immunosuppression , organ donation, Alaska natives or American Indians:
Two doses 2 months apart if older than 24 months of age

Ages at Which Vaccine Should Be Administered: Moderate Priority:  Healthy children 24-35 months: invasive disease rates of pneumococcal infection: 64.7/100,000.

Ages at Which Vaccine Should Be Administered: Low Priority:
Healthy children aged 36-59 months of age: the proportion of strains covered by the vaccine comprises only 63% of those causing invasive disease in 4 year olds and 58% of 5 year olds.  This could occur at the 4-6 year visit.  However, it should be noted that some physicians in our community are now giving a second dose after 2 years of age if the first dose had been delayed.

Anticipated Effects of Giving the Conjugate Pneumococcal Vaccine:

  • Otitis Media.  Prospective study in Finland of 1662 children.  Found the vaccine was more reactogenic than the Hep B vaccine, but less than DTP/Hib combination.  Found that in these children, 357 episodes of otitis, 107 in the conjugate group, 250 in controls.  Implication: many fewer tubes needed.
    The prediction is that since pneumococcal infections are responsible for more than 30% of cases of bacterial otitis media, there will be a marked decrease in the number of cases of otitis as a result of this vaccine.  The question remains whether other organisms will then become more prevalent.  This decrease may not be noticed by the primary care physician, but more on a population base.
  • Pneumonia.  Three year study of 38,000 children at Kaiser found that consolidated pneumonias decreased by 73%, others by 33%; 11% fewer doctor visits for pneumonia.
  • Bacteremia and Meningitis.  Vaccine 97% effective against these infections.

Role of Polysaccharide Vaccine (23 valent):  High risk only: sickle cell, asplenia, HIV, others:

Give 1 dose at 24 mos at least 6-8 wks after PCV 7; repeat 3-5 years later.

If no Prevnar previously given to these children: 2 doses PCV 7 6-8 wks apart then followed by PS vaccine 6-8 weeks and 3-5 years later. 

                                                                                                            Updated 10/01

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Department of Pediatrics  |  Medical College of Georgia
Please email comments, suggestions or questions to:
John T.  Benjamin M.D., 
jbenj@mcg.edu

February 27, 2004