Prevnar Immunization

After the success fighting Hib, experts turned to the number two cause of meningitis in children Streptococcus pneumoniae. Strept pneunoniae gets it name because it is the leading cause of pneumonia. It traditionally, is listed as has the leading cause of ear and sinus infections also. Prevnar protects against many of the worst strains of Strept pneumoniae. Since widespead use of it began in 2000 invasive Strept. pneumoniae cases have declined by more that 70 percent. Side effects include reddness and swelling of the injection site and rarely fever (more common after the 4th dose).

Written April 2010 by
Dr. Gordon, Windermere Pediatrician