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pneumococcal vaccine - injection, Pneumovax 23, Pnu-Imune 23

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GENERIC NAME: PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE - INJECTION (NEU-mo-KOK-al)

BRAND NAME(S): Pneumovax 23, Pnu-Imune 23

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: This vaccine helps protect against serious infection (e.g., meningitis, bacteria in the blood) due to certain bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae). This vaccine is important for preventing infection in individuals at risk (e.g., those with heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, diabetes, alcoholism, spleen problems, sickle cell anemia, or HIV, or those living in a nursing home).

HOW TO USE: Read the Vaccine Information Statement available from your health care provider before receiving the vaccine. If you have any questions, consult your health care provider.This vaccine is injected into a muscle or under the skin by a health care professional. When this vaccine is injected into a muscle, it is given in the upper arm or thigh.You may need to have another dose of vaccine if you are still at high risk for infection. This is especially true if you are younger than 65 years old when you receive the first dose of this vaccine. A second dose should not be given until 5 years after your first dose. Ask your doctor for more details.If you are receiving this vaccination before spleen surgery or before receiving cancer chemotherapy or other drugs that decrease your immune system function, it should be given at least 2 weeks before these procedures to be effective. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

SIDE EFFECTS: Injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, swelling, hard lump), muscle/joint aches, or fever may occur. Ask your doctor whether you should take a fever/pain reducer (e.g., acetaminophen) to help treat these symptoms. Nausea and vomiting may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: unusual weakness, tingling/numbness of the hands/feet, easy bleeding/bruising, swollen glands.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice any other effects not listed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US, you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

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