Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine & BCG

Vinu4me · Jan 16, 2009

Hi,

My daughter's paed lists Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (PCV) as an optional vaccine. What's the purpose of this vaccine? Any one given your babies this? Its pretty costly about 4K, but the cost is secondary to me. What I would really like to know is, is it worth it and why is it an optional vaccine?

Also, my daughter got her BCG vaccination 2 days after her birth. It has developed into a nodule now, which the doctor says is normal. But the other day there was some blood oozing from it. I was asked to wipe it with eau de cologne, which I did. The oozing recurred once more. Is this normal. When does the nodule go away?

Please clarify.

Regards,
Poornima.

Aadhusmom · Jan 16, 2009

Poornima,
The BCG nodule is the normal reaction to BCG. Usually what happens is the surface of the nodule opens up (ulcerates is the technical word) and heals a few times before you finally get a small circular scar which will stay for life. The whole process goes on for about 3-5 months before the final scar is formed. So no you dont need to worry. Keep the area clean and dry.
As for the pneumococcal its completely optional and there are several pros and cons.
Pros: Good protection against pneumococcal meningitis and pneumonia, fairly good against pneumococcal ear infections. Particularly needed for babies who have certain other diseases or attend daycare.
Cons - Expensive. The strains of pneumococci covered by the vaccine havent been proved to be the commonest strains in India (vaccine was meant originally for the Western market) and you can still get all the above diseases from other bacteria.

Should you give it? - If cost is not an issue I say yes. I did give it for my son. Discuss it with your pedi and decide.

Vanathi.

tikka · Jan 18, 2009

Another vaccine question: I cannot find any information on whether PCV is already on the country's universal immunisation schedule! Our paed says it is our choice, but the hospital is pushing it on us. Very strangely, pharmacists are calling the shots here.
DS does not attend day care, lives in a fairly clean environment, has been free of ear infections. (I am told meningitis is a possiblity only in overcrowded and poorly maintained places where there are other cattle/animals cohabiting. I kinda remember from the last meningitis outbreak that most of those affected where from low income areas. Not sure!)
V, I have your perspective and do respect that. I am curious about other moms. Do you think vaccinating beyond the universal immunisation schedule is necessary...
P.S. Poornima, sorry for the threadjack. We need to decide by Monday on what we are vaccinating DS and stand our grounds

radhee · Jan 18, 2009

Krithika,

We gave PCV for our little one for a couple of reasons:

One, we wanted to give him the best protection available in the market (not that other parents who decide against PCV care any less), so that our conscience is free from guilt later.

Secondly, If the little one goes abroad for studies or jobs later, they might ask for the immunization record and some universities require certain shots be mandatorily given. Who knows, PCV might be one of them in about 20 years from now..?

Just my perspective...

Radhee.

Vinu4me · Jan 18, 2009

Krithika,

I share Radhee's perspective on this. If your child were to later go on for higher studies or job to any of the western countries then it might come in handy. I am not very sure, but I think it is one of their mandatory vaccines for babies.

However, the pharmacists should not be compelling parents to get it done. Its ridiculous. The decision needs to be that of the parent's after consultation with the paed.

All the best!!

Poornima.

tikka · Jan 19, 2009

Radhee, Poornima - thanks for your responses.
@Radhee - agree with you on the guilt factor. To me it looks like the pharma industry is exploiting this guilt factor that all mothers feel, most certainly the pharmacist is. I think I need to talk to more doctor, public health specialists before I decide. Let me see if I can buy some time.
@ Poornima - Do you have any links/resources on how mandatory it is. I would like to know if there is a delayed schedule for it (or are we already delayed enough at 2 years?)

Vinu4me · Jan 19, 2009

Hi,

Check this link. Just found it out.

Also found this, with respect to the schedule in the US. Seems to be a mandatory vaccine. But, not very sure.

I would recommend that you speak to a few more doctors and see what they have to say. I have no idea if you can give it at 2 years.

Hope it helps.

Regards,
Poornima.

radhee · Jan 19, 2009

Krithika..

Here is a link on IAP's recommendation on pneumococcal vaccines...

Committee on Immunisation- The Indian Academy of Pediatrics - Pneumococcal

There is something called pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) for children above 2 years. Please check out with the doctor whether it is PCV or PPV. I have a half-baked knowledge about this, so I dont want to confuse you further. I think Vanathi can provide better clarity on this.

Radhee.

tikka · Jan 19, 2009

Thank you again Radhee, Poornima. I will talk to my paed about delayed schedule. I passed on this information to my husband...(We bought some more time because K is teething and is miserable. Did not want to add vaccine after effect also to it - I really do love our paed.)
We are feeling maxed on vaccines. The IAP recommendations have me thinking (I had only seen newspaper reports of it and the details make the picture more clear.) I am inclined to wait for a broader spectrum vaccine, gotta see what my husband brings to the table on this one!

Vareen · Jul 14, 2009

Hi,

my daughter will turn 3 months old and her paed has suggested that I give her Rotarix and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine. Surprisingly the paed says it is entirely up to me whether I should give her or not. Totally confused... I'm in a state of complete dilemma