WHAT IS PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE?

Pneumococcal disease is caused by a bacteria. It can cause a number of illnesses like pneumococcal pneumonia (an infection of the lungs), pneumococcal bacteremia (an infection of the blood), and pneumococcal meningitis (an infection of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord).

PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE INCLUDES SERIOUS ILLNESSES

Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but your risk is greater if you are 65 years or older or if you have certain chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Pneumococcal Bacteremia

Pneumococcal Bacteremia

Pneumococcal Meningitis

Pneumococcal Meningitis

PNEUMOCOCCAL BACTERIA CAN SPREAD ANYWHERE, ANYTIME

It can be spread from someone healthy or sick—through coughing, sneezing, and close contact with others.

Infection can occur any time of year but is more common during winter and early spring.

Pneumococcal infections can strike quickly and without warning, and symptoms are not the same for everyone.

Pneumococcal Pneumonia Is an Infection of the Lungs and Is the Most Common Form of Pneumococcal Disease in Adults

pneumococcal pneumonia

is an infection of the lungs. While the cause of pneumonia isn’t always pneumococcal bacteria, it is a common cause. Pneumococcal pneumonia is serious and should not be ignored.

  • Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common form of pneumococcal disease in adults.
  • It is an infection that you can get going about your daily routine and can appear suddenly.
  • It can lead to breathing problems.

Every year, about

150,000

adults are hospitalized with this type of pneumonia in the United States. In some cases, it can even lead to death.

About

1 IN 4 PATIENTS

with pneumococcal pneumonia will develop pneumococcal bacteremia, which may lead to hospitalization.

Pneumococcal Bacteremia Is an Infection of the Blood That Can Lead To Low Blood Pressure, Which May Damage Vital Organs Like the Kidneys and the Heart

PNEUMOCOCCAL BACTEREMIA

is an infection of the blood. It can lead to low blood pressure, which may damage vital organs like the kidneys and the heart. This is also known as septic shock.

Pneumococcal Meningitis Is a Rare But Serious Infection of the Coverings of the Brain and Spinal Cord

PNEUMOCOCCAL MENINGITIS

is a rare but serious infection of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord.

People who have

MENINGITIS

may face long-term complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and seizures.

SEE HOW certain FACTORS CAN AFFECT YOUR CHANCES OF getting Pneumococcal DISEASE

Could You Be At Risk for Pneumococcal Disease If You Are 65 Or Older?

I am 65 or older

GET THE FACTS
Could You Be At Risk for Pneumococcal Disease If You Are Living With Diabetes, Heart Disease, or COPD?

I am living with diabetes, heart disease, or COPD*

GET THE FACTS

*COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

 
Ask Your Health Care Provider if PNEUMOVAX®23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent) Is Right for You

ASK YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF PNEUMOVAX 23 IS RIGHT FOR YOU

Take the next step and speak with your health care provider. See our list of questions that can help with that conversation.

See our list of questions that can help with that conversation.

SEE THE LIST

 

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A pharmacist may be able to help you decide if PNEUMOVAX 23 is right for you.

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Pharmacies listed are located within the range provided and should not be considered an endorsement of the locations.

Site intended for U.S. adults only. Please contact the pharmacy to determine vaccine availability and pharmacy's ability to administer vaccine in your particular situation. You may also want to discuss your insurance information in advance to verify coverage. The information provided here is not intended to replace medical advice from a health care practitioner. Inclusion of a pharmacy is not a representation or guarantee that you will have insurance coverage for the product when administered at pharmacy. The choice of pharmacy also may affect your out-of-pocket costs. You should confirm your insurance coverage for PNEUMOVAX 23 and its administration prior to vaccination.

These are not all the locations that may administer PNEUMOVAX 23. If a location you are looking for is not listed, please contact the location to see if it is administering the vaccine.

The Find a Pharmacy feature is provided for informational purposes only and is based on information provided by pharmacies that have opted in and have agreed to include their information. Merck is not affiliated with any pharmacy and does not support the use of any particular pharmacy. One pharmacy is not preferred over the others. Merck does not make any warranty as to the features and support offered by any particular pharmacy. The inclusion of a pharmacy is not an endorsement of the location, nor is Merck making a representation or guarantee about the qualifications, competence, or skills of the vaccine providers.

 

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What Is PNEUMOVAX 23?

PNEUMOVAX 23 is a vaccine that is given as a shot. It helps protect you from infection by certain germs or bacteria which are called pneumococcus (pronounced "noo-mo-ca-cus").

PNEUMOVAX 23 is for people 50 years of age and older, and those 2 years of age and older if they have certain medical conditions that put them at increased risk for infection.

Important Safety Information

PNEUMOVAX 23 may not protect everyone who gets it. It will not protect against diseases that are caused by bacteria types that are not in the vaccine.

You should not get PNEUMOVAX 23 if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, had an allergic reaction to PNEUMOVAX 23 in the past, or are less than 2 years of age.

Before getting PNEUMOVAX 23, tell your health care provider if you or your child are allergic to the vaccine, have heart or lung problems, have a fever, have immune problems, or are receiving radiation treatment or chemotherapy, are pregnant or breastfeeding.

PNEUMOVAX 23 may not prevent pneumococcal meningitis in patients with leakage of spinal fluid caused by a cracked or injured skull or a medical operation.

Talk to your health care provider if you plan to get PNEUMOVAX 23 at the same time as other vaccines.

The most common side effects of PNEUMOVAX 23 are: pain, warmth, soreness, redness, swelling, and hardening at the injection site, headache, weakness and feeling tired, and muscle pain. Tell your health care provider or get help right away if you have any of the following problems, which may be signs of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, wheezing, rash, hives.

Side effects at the site where you get the shot may be more common and may feel worse after a second shot than after the first shot. Tell your health care provider if you or your child has a side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please read the accompanying Patient Information for PNEUMOVAX 23 and discuss it with your health care provider. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.