PRODUCT INTRODUCTION
Prevenar 13 Vaccine is used to prevent pneumonia, meningitis, blood and, ear infections. The vaccine helps the body make its own antibodies which protects you against these diseases. It only protects against disease caused by the thirteen strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria included in the vaccine.
Prevenar 13 Vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle by your doctor or nurse. It should not be self-administered. It is important that you receive all the doses of this vaccine to make it effective.
Some common side effects of this vaccine include injection site reactions (such as pain, swelling, redness), irritability, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and sleepiness. If these side effects persist or get worse, let your doctor know. The doctor may help with ways to reduce or prevent these symptoms.
To ensure safety, before receiving the vaccine, it is important to let the doctor know if you have any other illnesses. You should also tell the doctor about all the medicines you are taking. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult and seek advice from their doctor before receiving the vaccine.
BENEFITS OF PREVENAR 13 SUSPENSION FOR INJECTION
In Prevention of pneumonia, meningitis, blood infection & ear infection
Prevenar 13 Vaccine protects against 13 types of bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease refers to any illness caused by pneumococcal bacteria such as ear infections, sinus infections, meningitis (infection of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord), bacteremia (bloodstream infection), or pneumonia (lungs infection). Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but children under 2 years of age, people with certain medical conditions, adults 65 years or older, and cigarette smokers are at the highest risk. Most pneumococcal infections are mild. However, some can be serious. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best defense against pneumococcal disease.
HOW TO USE PREVENAR 13 SUSPENSION FOR INJECTION
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
HOW PREVENAR 13 SUSPENSION FOR INJECTION WORKS
Prevenar 13 Vaccine is a vaccine. It helps develop immunity by initiating a mild infection. This type of infection does not cause illness, but it does stimulate the body’s immune system to produce antibodies to protect against any future infections.
SAFETY ADVICE
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Prevenar 13 Vaccine. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Information regarding the use of Prevenar 13 Vaccine during pregnancy is not available. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Information regarding the use of Prevenar 13 Vaccine during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether Prevenar 13 Vaccine alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Kidney
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Prevenar 13 Vaccine in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Prevenar 13 Vaccine in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
SIDE EFFECTS
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Prevenar 13
- Sleepiness
- Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
- Decreased appetite
- Fever
- Rash
- Irritability
- Sleep deprivation
- Hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness)
- Vomiting
- Chills
- Limitations of arm movement
- Diarrhea
FAQ's
Q. How many doses of Prevenar 13 Vaccine are needed?
The dosage of Pneumococcal 13 valent Conjugate Vaccine depends on the age of the patient and whether the person is previously vaccinated or not. For infants, Prevenar 13 Vaccine is to be given as a four-dose schedule at 2, 4, 6, and 12–15 months of age. The first dose can be given as early as 6 weeks of age and after that, a gap of about 4 to 8 weeks is recommended between two doses. For adults, only one dose seems to be effective. However, consult your doctor for the exact dose and duration.
Q. Can Prevenar 13 Vaccine be given subcutaneously?
No, this vaccine should not be given subcutaneously (beneath the skin). It should be given as an intramuscular injection. It should be injected in the front of the thigh in infants or in the muscle of the upper arm in children and adults by a trained healthcare professional.
Q. Who should get vaccinated by the Prevenar 13 Vaccine?
Usually, Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for children below 2 years of age and adults who are 65 years or older. Individuals who are between 2 to 64 years old, with some medical conditions that weaken your immune system, are also advised to take this vaccine. These conditions include HIV/AIDS, nephrotic syndrome, cancer, sickle cell disease, and diabetes. This vaccine is also recommended in chronic diseases like chronic heart, lung, kidney or liver disease, and alcoholism.
Q. Who should not get Prevenar 13 Vaccine?
Patients having a life-threatening allergic reaction with previous pneumococcal vaccination, earlier pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, or a vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid (for example, DTaP) should avoid taking this vaccine. Also, this medicine should not be given to patients who are allergic to any additional component of the pneumococcal vaccine. In conditions when a person is ill or unwell then vaccination should only be given after recovery from illness. Do consult your doctor before planning to take this vaccine and follow the instructions as directed.