Question
Do I need the pneumococcal vaccine?
3 December 2007. Related: All topics.
Do I need the pneumococcal vaccine? I’m on Kivexa and Viramune treatment and don’t see my consultants for another two months.
Answer
The UK Department of Health recommendation for pneumococcal vaccination includes HIV-infection at all stages.
Serotype is the kind of microorganism as characterised by serologic typing (testing for recognisable antigens on the surface of the microorganism).
It is important, because some serotypes (depending on the disease causing microorganism) are not affected as well, or almost not at all, by the approved medications, as well as some serotypes are not ‘covered’ by the vaccine against the particular ‘bug’.
Information about invasive pneumococcal disease is published on this nhs direct page:
As for the efficacy of he vaccine in HIV+ people:
HIV-infected people may have a diminished antibody response to pneumococcal vaccine and the reduction corresponds to the degree of immunodeficiency. Responses are often lower in HIV-infected people with CD4 counts under 500 cells/mm3 compared to those with higher CD4 counts. HAART is expected to improve responses to vaccination, but responses may remain suboptimal, even after re-vacccination.
A prime-boost approach using a CPV vaccine initially, followed by PPV-23 boosting appears to improve responses in children, but there are no data for adults.
More than 80% of healthy (non HIV-infected) young adults who receive PPV-23, develop antibodies against the serotypes contained in the vaccine, usually within 2 to 3 weeks after vaccination.
Excuse me but what is a serotype and why is it important? And what is invasive pneumococcal disease? Are you just saying the PPV23 vaccination protects agains 98% of pneumococcus?