HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Is Pneumovax Vaccine Suggestible Inspite Of Having All Vaccinations Before?

default
Posted on Fri, 23 May 2014
Question: Hello,
My question is about my four year old daughter. She has had skin problems since she was a baby (Rash, eczema). When she was 2 she developed her first MRSA infection and had over 10 more infections during the following year. It wasn't until she was put on long term antibiotics that she was able to finally rid herself of it. She has also had 3 different times pneumonia (the first one was when she was around 1 years old) the third one was just about 2 months ago. She seems to be always sick, has bowel problems and unrelated been diagnosed with Autism because of her speech delay, pica, repetitive behaviors. She also has joint laxity and has had two sugeries to correct thumb contractures. The reason that I am writing for help today is because I have taken her to an immunlogist that wants her to have a pneumovax vaccine because of the following lab tests came back. She has had all of her childhood vaccines even the pneummocal vaccines as a child (probably not the same as pneumovax). Should I seek another opinion? Last year her Immunogoblin G was flagged high in labwork... recent test shows normal but her Immunogoblin E is flagged high now at 66 (See lab results below). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.... I need to get to the bottom of this.
Pneumococcal IM (14 Serotype)
Pneumo Ab Type 1* 1.1 Low ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 3* 1.1 Low ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 4* 0.3 Low ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 8* 0.1 Low ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 9 (9N)* 0.1 Low ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 12 (12F)* <0.1 Low ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 14* 0.7 Low ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 19 (19F)* 3.9 ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 23 (23F)* 10.9 ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 26 (6B)* 0.5 Low ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 51 (7F)* 0.8 Low ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 56 (18C)* 1.1 Low ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 57 (19A)* 9.7 ug/mL >1.3 02
Pneumo Ab Type 68 (9V)* 0.2 Low ug/mL >1.3 02
Immunoglobulin E, Total 66 High I
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Go ahead with Pneumovax immunization

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day

Dear Mr/Ms,


There are two types of commercially available Pneumococcal Vaccine

1. Prevenar 13: It immunizes the child against 13 strains of S Pneumonia Bacteria.

It is safe for children under 2 years of age and this is the only Pneumococcal Vaccine indicated for children under 2 years of age.
Following are the strains against which it immunizes

Prevention of invasive disease caused by 13 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F),

2. Pneumovax 23: It immunizes the child against 23 strains of Streptococcus Pneumonia bacteria. It is indicated for children older than 2 years of age.

PNEUMOVAX 23 is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the
prevention of pneumococcal disease caused by the 23 serotypes
contained in the vaccine (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A,
12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19F, 19A, 20, 22F, 23F, and 33F)


Even though you have not mentioned when was the child immunized against pneumococcus, I assume that she would have been immunized before 2 years of age which is the routine case.

I would like to draw your notice to some of the points

1. Past Vaccine Immunization does not offer 100% protection against disease.
If laboratory investigations reveal low levels of Ig M against particular strain clinical immunity to disease is not attained. Normally after vaccination Immunoglobin levels are not checked in children to know whether the child has developed immunity. Only in special condition like children having Immunological disease it may be checked.
If the child is suspectible to infection( your daughter is susceptible due to previous two Pneumonias and also due to Eczema which is immunologically mediated) repeat vaccination is recommended.

2. If your daughter was immunized previously before 2 years of age, Prevenar 13 would have been used. From the report of your child you can see child has low Immunoglobulin against many strains especially 12F( this strain is not included in Prevenar 13) . Repeat Vaccination is indicated with Pneumovax because it also offers protection to 12F and also all other strains

I would suggest you to go ahead with Immunization as suggested by your Physician.

In case you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.


Take Care

Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS,MS,MCH
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (11 minutes later)
Thank you for responding... I have two other children besides the child I have wrote to you about. My whole life has been altered after having her, its been a constant roller coaster and I just can't imagine that there is not some underlying reason. Its frustrating because I have taken her to so many doctors and no one can tell me what is going on with her. It just doesn't make any sense to me, she is always sick it seems with some type of infection. The only reason the MRSA stopped is because they finally put her on antibiotics long term. I appreciate your time and will get her the pneumomax vaccine.

Is there any specialist you think I should look into for her? Or is this just a case of bad luck. My other two kids get the same virus but it doesn't turn into pneumonia. Is the MRSA bad luck too.

Thanks for your time, I know your limited in your answer.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
MRSA can be erradicated

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Greetings
Dear Ms

Being a parent myself I understand the difficult situation you would be finding yourself. Do not worry , things can be taken care off.
Children with skin disease have propensity to develop MRSA ( Methicillin resistant Staphylococcal aureus ) . They may even develop nasal carrier state which could lead to recurrence. I would suggest you to get her Nasal and perineal swab to know whether she has developed MRSA carrier ( harbouring bacteria without active disease). The MRSA carrier state can be treated adequately By Mupirocin Ointment and Rifampicin in consultation with your Physician.

Do not worry, for any help anytime you can write to me, I assure you the hep to the best of my knowledge and experience.

Take Care
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy life

Take Care

Regards
Deepak
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3195 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Is Pneumovax Vaccine Suggestible Inspite Of Having All Vaccinations Before?

Brief Answer: Go ahead with Pneumovax immunization Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Healthcare-Magic Greetings of the day Dear Mr/Ms, There are two types of commercially available Pneumococcal Vaccine 1. Prevenar 13: It immunizes the child against 13 strains of S Pneumonia Bacteria. It is safe for children under 2 years of age and this is the only Pneumococcal Vaccine indicated for children under 2 years of age. Following are the strains against which it immunizes Prevention of invasive disease caused by 13 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F), 2. Pneumovax 23: It immunizes the child against 23 strains of Streptococcus Pneumonia bacteria. It is indicated for children older than 2 years of age. PNEUMOVAX 23 is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of pneumococcal disease caused by the 23 serotypes contained in the vaccine (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19F, 19A, 20, 22F, 23F, and 33F) Even though you have not mentioned when was the child immunized against pneumococcus, I assume that she would have been immunized before 2 years of age which is the routine case. I would like to draw your notice to some of the points 1. Past Vaccine Immunization does not offer 100% protection against disease. If laboratory investigations reveal low levels of Ig M against particular strain clinical immunity to disease is not attained. Normally after vaccination Immunoglobin levels are not checked in children to know whether the child has developed immunity. Only in special condition like children having Immunological disease it may be checked. If the child is suspectible to infection( your daughter is susceptible due to previous two Pneumonias and also due to Eczema which is immunologically mediated) repeat vaccination is recommended. 2. If your daughter was immunized previously before 2 years of age, Prevenar 13 would have been used. From the report of your child you can see child has low Immunoglobulin against many strains especially 12F( this strain is not included in Prevenar 13) . Repeat Vaccination is indicated with Pneumovax because it also offers protection to 12F and also all other strains I would suggest you to go ahead with Immunization as suggested by your Physician. In case you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you. Take Care Best Regards Dr Deepak Kishore MBBS,MS,MCH Consultant Pediatric Surgeon