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"What is&amp;amp;nbsp;Pneumovax II used for?  Pneumovax II is licensed for preventing invasive pneumococcal disease (eg pneumonia, meningitis or blood poisoning) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria in adults and children aged two years and over, who would be at risk of complications if they contracted these diseases (see details below).  Pneumovax II is given to immunise adults and children aged two years and over in whom pneumococcal infection may give rise to dangerous complications. This includes people aged over 65 years, people with chronic heart, lung, liver and kidney diseases, people with diabetes, those with a weakened immune system due to disease (including HIV) or treatment (eg chemotherapy, radiotherapy, high dose corticosteroids), people with a malfunctioning spleen, eg sickle cell disease, or who have had their spleens removed, people who have had cochlear implants and people at risk of occupational exposure to metal fumes, eg welders.  Some vaccines remain effective for a lifetime, while others have to be updated after a few years. With the Pneumovax vaccine, one dose is usually enough. However, a booster dose is recommended every five years for people without a spleen, and those with a dysfunctioning spleen, eg sickle cell disease, or chronic kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome). Pneumococcal vaccine is now part of the childhood immunisation schedule for children under two years of age. However, a different pneumococcal vaccine called Prevenar 13 is used to immunise this age group. The Pneumovax II vaccine is not recommended for children under two years of age, because it does not stimulate sufficient numbers of antibodies to be produced in this age group. However, children who are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease because they fall into one of the above risk groups are given a single dose of Pneumovax II after their second birthday (at least two months after their final dose of Prevenar 13). How does&amp;amp;nbsp;Pneumovax II work? Pneumovax II is a pneumococcal vaccine that contains extracts from 23 of the most common types of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. These bacteria are responsible for causing invasive diseases such as pneumonia, blood poisoning and meningitis. The vaccine works by provoking the body&amp;#039;s immune response to the bacteria, without causing the diseases. When the body is exposed to foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, the immune system produces antibodies against them. Antibodies help the body recognise and kill the foreign organisms. They then remain in the body to help protect the body against future infections with the same organism. This is known as active immunity.  The immune system produces different antibodies for each foreign organism it encounters. This establishes a pool of antibodies that helps protect the body from various different diseases.  Vaccines contain extracts or inactivated forms of bacteria or viruses that cause disease. These altered forms of the organisms stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against them, but don&amp;#039;t actually cause disease themselves. The antibodies produced remain in the body so that if the organism is encountered naturally, the immune system can recognise it and attack it, thus preventing it from causing disease.  Each bacteria or virus stimulates the immune system to produce a specific type of antibody. This means that different vaccines are needed to prevent different diseases.  Pneumovax II contains inactivated extracts from 23 of the most common types of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. It stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against these bacteria and is given to prevent the diseases that they can cause. How is&amp;amp;nbsp;Pneumovax II given? The vaccination is usually given as an injection into the muscle (intramuscular) of the upper arm, but may also be given under the skin (subcutaneously). Important information about&amp;amp;nbsp;Pneumovax II  This vaccine only provides protection against disease caused by the 23 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria included in the vaccine. It will not protect against other groups of pneumococcal bacteria, or other organisms that cause meningitis or septicaemia (blood poisoning). People whose immune system is underactive, for example due to a genetic defect, HIV infection, or treatment with medicines that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy, high doses of corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants (eg to prevent transplant rejection), may not produce an adequate immune response to this vaccine. See end of factsheet for more information and for further advice talk to your doctor.  Pneumovax II should not be used in  People with a fever or sudden severe illness (in this case the vaccine should be postponed until after recovery). Children under two years of age. (This is because Pneumovax does not stimulate sufficient numbers of antibodies to be produced in this age group. The Prevenar 13 pneumococcal vaccine should be used to vaccinate children under two.)  This vaccine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction after having this vaccine, inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Pneumovax II should be used with caution in  Children with a personal or family history of febrile convulsions.  These children can still be given this vaccine, but you may be recommended to give them a dose of paracetamol (eg Calpol) or ibuprofen (eg Nurofen for children) to prevent the child getting a fever after having this vaccine. It is important to follow the instructions given by the doctor or nurse and give the recommended dose only.   People at risk of bleeding following an injection into the muscle, eg people with haemophilia or low levels of platelets in their blood (thrombocytopenia). The injection should be given under the skin rather than into a muscle in these people.  Pregnancy and breastfeeding Certain vaccines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other vaccines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before having any vaccine.  The safety of this vaccine when given during pregnancy has not been studied. However, as it contains inactivated bacteria it is not expected to cause any harm to the developing baby. The vaccine should be given with caution during pregnancy, and only if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.  The effect of this vaccine on a breastfeeding child after the mother is given the vaccine have not been studied. However, since it contains inactivated bacteria it is unlikely to be harmful. It should be given with caution during breastfeeding, and only if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.   Possible side effects of&amp;amp;nbsp;Pneumovax II Vaccines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this vaccine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people having this vaccine will experience that or any side effect. This vaccine contains no live bacteria and cannot cause pneumococcal disease. Very common (affect more than 1 in 10 people)  Pain, tenderness, swelling, redness or hardening of the skin at the injection site. Fever (high temperature). If your child seems distressed they can be given a dose of paracetamol and, if necessary, a second dose four to six hours later. Ibuprofen can be used if paracetamol is unsuitable, but if a second dose of ibuprofen is required, it should be given six hours after the first dose. Ask your nurse, pharmacist or doctor for advice on the dose needed for your child. Seek medical advice if the fever persists.   Unknown frequency  Nausea and vomiting. Headache. Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia). A general feeling of being unwell (malaise). Pain in the muscles and joints. Pins and needles sensations (paraesthesia). Swollen glands (lymph nodes) Rash or hives. Allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis or swelling of the lips, throat and tongue (angioedema).  The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the vaccine&amp;#039;s manufacturer.&amp;amp;nbsp;For more information about any other possible risks associated with this vaccine, please read the information provided with the vaccine or consult your doctor or pharmacist. If you think you have experienced a side effect from a medicine or vaccine you should check the patient information leaflet. This lists the known side effects and what to do if you get them. You can also get advice from your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. If they think it&amp;#039;s necessary they&amp;#039;ll report it for you. You can also report side effects yourself using the yellow card website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. How can&amp;amp;nbsp;Pneumovax II affect other medicines? This vaccine is not known to affect other medicines. However, it is recommended that this vaccine is given at least two weeks before starting treatment with therapies that suppress the immune system, eg chemotherapy, radiotherapy, long-term high-dose corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants. This is because once the immune system is suppressed by these treatments, sufficient numbers of antibodies may not be produced in response to the vaccine.  The vaccine should particularly be avoided during radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment. The immune response may also still be reduced after chemotherapy or radiotherapy has finished and the vaccine should therefore not be given within three months of finishing such treatment (possibly longer if the treatment was intensive or prolonged). This vaccine must not be given at the same time as the shingles vaccine (Zostavax). This vaccine may be given at the same time as the influenza (flu) vaccine, but different injection sites should be used. Children who have have been immunised with Prevenar 13 can be given this vaccine after their second birthday, if recommended by the child&amp;#039;s doctor. The interval between receiving a dose of Prevenar 13 and a dose of this vaccine should not be less than eight weeks. Other pneumococcal vaccines  Prevenar 13 Synflorix  Further reading For background information about our medicine factsheets, including the references used to produce them, click here. Last updated 18.02.2013 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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