Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine is a shot given to children and adults to prevent pneumococcal diseases. The vaccine helps in improving antibody response. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends this conjugate vaccine to children for regular immunisation.

The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine also prevents the infection from spreading from one person to another.

This article will discuss Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in the context of the IAS Exam.

The candidates can go through the relevant topics useful for their upcoming exams from the links provided below:

What is Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine?

• Pneumococcal pneumonia (Streptococcus pneumoniae) is the most common cause of severe pneumonia among children in the developing world.
• The fight against pneumonia-related deaths in children relies on prevention, protection and, when infections occur, on better treatment.
• PCV has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the incidence and severity of pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections in children.
• Children must receive all recommended doses in the vaccine schedule for maximum protection.
• Vaccination is not intended to be used for the treatment of active infection.

Types of Pneumococcal vaccines

• Pneumococcal vaccines are derived from sugars (polysaccharides) from the capsule of the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.
• They may or may not be attached to the carrier protein.
• Based on the presence of carrier protein, two broad categories of pneumococcal vaccines are available in the market:
  • Polysaccharide vaccines (with no carrier) and
  • Conjugate vaccines (with protein carrier)
• Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV): 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), available since the early 1980s.
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV): 10-valent (PCV10) and 13-valent (PCV13) are currently available. A 7-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV7), which was introduced in 2000, has been phased out.

Vaccine Schedule for PCV Vaccine

• PCV will be administered in three doses (2 primary and 1 booster).
  • 1 dose at 6 weeks,
  • 1 dose at 14 weeks and
  • 1 dose at 9 months of age as part of routine immunization.
• The first dose, PCV1, will be administered at 6 weeks of age with the first dose of pentavalent vaccine, oral polio vaccine (OPV), fractional-dose IPV1 and rotavirus vaccine.
• The second dose, PCV2, will be given at 14 weeks of age, with the third dose of pentavalent vaccine, oral polio vaccine, fractional-dose IPV2 and rotavirus vaccine.
• The PCV booster dose will be administered at 9 months of age with the first dose of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine and the first dose of the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine (in endemic districts).
• The two primary doses and one booster dose of PCV should be given during the first year of life.
• If the doses are delayed within the first year of life, delayed doses must be separated by a minimum interval of at least 8 weeks, to be given at the next scheduled immunization visit.
• In delayed cases beyond 1 year of age, due doses can be given to a child only if a child has received at least one dose of PCV before his/her first birthday.

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Side effects of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

The vaccine is safe, but it should be avoided in cases like:-

• If the child experiences a life-threatening reaction to the first dosage.
• If the child is moderately ill, you should wait until completely recovered.

The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine may cause reactions like:

• Mild fever
• Fussiness and tiredness
• Poor appetite
• Vomiting
• Sleep issues
• Rash
• Injection site reactions

Serious life-threatening reactions the vaccine can cause are:-

• Difficulty in breathing and fast heartbeat
• Hoarseness or wheezing
• Weakness and dizziness
• Swelling of the throat

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine India

• The Indian government is planning for a nationwide rollout of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in India under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
• According to the government, this rollout would require about 50 % of the budget of UIP. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine is the costliest vaccine in UIP and covers only 50% of the birth cohort in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, and more.
• The cost challenge for India’s immunisation will be more problematic, as GAVI (global alliance for vaccines and Immunisation) is about to withdraw its support for India from 2022.

Recommendations

• WHO recommends the inclusion of PCVs in childhood immunisation programmes worldwide.
• The use of the pneumococcal vaccine should be complimentary to other disease prevention and control measures, such as appropriate case management, promotion of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and reducing known risk factors such as indoor air pollution and tobacco smoke.

Furthermore, candidates can learn more about the detailed UPSC Syllabus and exam pattern for the preliminary and mains phase of the examination at the linked article. Analysing the syllabus will help candidates accordingly schedule a study plan.

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