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Vaccine Information Archive
Pnuemococcal
Articles & Further Information
Disease Definition
The bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause:
- meningitis (infection of the membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord);
- pneumonia (lung infection);
- septicaemia/bacteraemia (blood system infection); and
- middle ear and sinus (nose passages) infections.
The bacteria can spread from person to person through droplets in the
air and by touching an infected person. Symptoms in children and adults
can differ.
In Children
Pneumococcal meningitis
symptoms may include high fever and headache, which may develop over a
few hours or 1 - 2 days. Other symptoms may also include: vomiting;
sensitivity to light; neck stiffness; poor appetite; confusion;
irritability; and drowsiness.
Pneumococcal pneumonia symptoms may be vague and include fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.
Pneumococcal blood system infections can cause symptoms such as fever and irritability.
Pneumococcal middle ear infections cause ear pain and a red and swollen ear drum, difficulty sleeping, fever and irritability.
In Adults
The bacteria can cause the following infections:
Meningitis - symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes coma.
Pneumonia - symptoms include fever, cough, chest pains and breathing problems, such as shortness of breath.
Bacteraemia/septicaemia - a serious condition, symptoms include fever, headache and muscular aches and pains.
Source: www.immunise.health.gov.au
About the Vaccine
Meningitis is an infection of the Meninges – the membranes that
surround the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord).
The Meninges is the first line of defence for this sensitive and vital
area of the human anatomy and what is meant when someone talks about
the blood-brain barrier. An infection of this area can develop into
either Meningitis or Encephalitis (literally an inflammation of the
brain).
Viral Meningitis (sometimes called aseptic meningitis) is generally
milder than Bacterial Meningitis. It is also most often self-limiting
with only a small chance of any long-term problems.
Bacterial Meningitis, however, can be much more serious. It has a very
rapid onset and can kill within hours of the first symptoms appearing.
The classic symptoms of Meningitis (particularly of Bacterial
Meningitis) include fever, headache, vomiting, sensitivity to light
(photophobia), irritability, severe fatigue (lethargy), stiff neck, and
a reddish purple rash on the skin. Untreated, the disease can progress
to seizures, confusion, and eventually coma and death.
Like most of the other bacteria and viruses that are linked with
meningitis, most of us will at some point in our lives play host to S. pneumoniae.
It is only the rare few however who will actually develop any symptoms
of an infection and only a small percentage of that rare few who will
get the more severe illnesses such as pneumonia, bacteremia or
meningitis.
Prevenar, the 7-valent (containing 7 separate strains of S. pneumoniae)
is conjugated onto Diphtheria toxin which, it is feared, may lead to an
overdose of Diphtheria in those who receive both Prevenar and the
Diphtheria-containing DPT or DPaT vaccines.
S. pneumoniae is diagnosed as being associated with illnesses based upon what part of the body they are found in. For example:
• If the pneumococcal bacteria attacks the lungs, it’s known as pneumonia;
• If the pneumococcal bacteria gets into the blood
stream, it’s called bacteraemia (formerly known as blood poisoning);
• If it attacks a specific part of the brain, it’s known as meningitis, and
• If it infects the middle ear, it’s called otitis media.
Dr.
Erdem Cantekin, PhD, Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of
Pittsburgh, cites a large trial conducted on the safety of Prevenar
vaccine by an HMO (Health Maintenance Organisation) named Kaiser
Permanente. This study, the only trial that was conducted to establish
safety and efficacy before the vaccine was recommended for mass use in
the US, had no placebo group. It was also paid for by Wyeth Lederle,
manufacturer of Prevenar and conducted by Drs. Steven Black and Henry
Shinefield of Kaiser Permanente who were both paid by Wyeth Lederle to
present the results across the United States.
Despite these obvious conflicts of interest, the study found that children who received Prevenar in this trial were:
• 4 times more likely to have seizures, and
• 4 times more likely to have stomach problems.
Dr. Cantkin stated that “The alleged benefits for this new vaccine are greatly exaggerated and the risks are significant.”
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Available data
suggest that PCV7 (7-valent Pneumococcal vaccine, i.e. Prevenar) may
prove to be among the most reactogenic vaccine of those currently used,
including the DTaP and Haemophilus conjugate vaccines.
In one small study of children 20.8 out of 24 (87%) had erythema
(redness of skin produced by congestion of capillaries) and 4.2 out of
24 (17.5%) had “tenderness that interfered with limb movement.”
Vaccines used in Australia:
Pneumovax 23 - Pneumococcal vaccine; Merck Sharp and Dohme : DATA SHEET
Prevenar - Pneumococcal vaccine; Wyeth : DATA SHEET
DATA SHEETS
Sourced from: www.medsafe.govt.nz
Similar
to 'Package Inserts' these Data Sheets contain information provided by
the vaccine manufacturer and list ,among other things, the vaccine's
ingredients and possible side effects.
We here at the
AVN had the up-to-date Australian vaccination information on our
website for years. Unfortunately, a couple of years ago, we were
ordered to remove these details due to supposed copyright issues though
they are freely available across the Tasman as you can see.
As
far as we are able to determine, this information and the vaccine
manufacturers are exactly the same as the information released on
vaccines in Australia. It seems that the powers that be in Australia do
not want you to know what is in the vaccines being used here, what the
listed side-effects are and what contraindications (or reasons why the
vaccine might not be appropriate) there are for individuals who are
considering taking this shot. Hopefully, the authorities in Australia
will one day become more open-minded on this issue and will decide that
parents are not only capable of understanding this information but
should have access to it to assist in their decision-making process.
For now, here is the information from New Zealand.
Information on Vaccines used in the USA can be found here: www.vaccinesafety.edu/package_inserts.htm
Please share the links to these pages with anyone you know who is considering vaccinating their children or themselves.
Investigate BEFORE you vaccinate
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