The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is used to expose the body to a small dose of the bacteria responsible for causing pneumococcal disease. By providing the body with this bacteria, the body can develop antibodies to destroy it and make future infections less likely. Pneumococcal infections include sinus, pneumonia, blood and meningitis infections. Pneumococcal pneumonia, blood infection and meningitis are some of the more deadly forms of the infections. Drugs.com points out that each year pneumococcal disease kills more people in the United States than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined.
Existing Illness
Most individuals with mild illness or health conditions are still encouraged to get the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) to reduce the likelihood of contracting a more severe illness from the pneumococcal bacteria. Drugs.com warns individuals who have a severe illness or fever to wait until they are well before obtaining the PPV.
Other causes of a weakened immune system may be a reason to avoid the PPV. Drugs.com suggests discussing the following conditions with your doctor before getting the vaccine: receiving a previous dose of PPV, infected with HIV or AIDS, taking medications that impact the immune system, organ or bone marrow transplant recipient, cancer, spleen conditions, sickle-cell disease or kidney failure.
Allergy
In rare cases, there may be a life-threatening allergic reaction to the PPV. Signs of this include swelling of the lips, tongue or face, as well as trouble breathing, closing of the throat, hives, paleness, weakness, dizziness or a rapid heart rate. Drugs.com indicates these effects can occur within minutes or hours of receiving the vaccine. Medical attention is necessary to prevent complications like cardiac arrest or asphyxiation.
Side Effects
Serious side effects to report to your doctor include a high fever or changes in behavior. Mild side effects develop in about half of all recipients of the PPV. These effects can include pain or redness at the site of injection. Fewer than 1 percent of patients develop a fever, aching muscles or moderate to severe reactions at the injection site, states Drugs.com.
