Clinical Brief

Severe Local Reactions to Pneumococcal Vaccine

Authors: KEVIN NELSON, MD, JOHN A. GOLDMAN, MD, CARL A. PERLINO, MD

Abstract

A DODECAVALENT pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax, MSD) has been commercially available in the United States since 1978 for use in specific patient populations in whom the risk of serious infections caused by the pneumococcus is high. Side effects from the vaccine occur frequently but usually are limited to mild pain and erythema at the site of administration.1,2 Low-grade fever occurs occasionally, but more serious reactions are unusual. Our recent experience with two patients indicates that serious, delayed local reactions to vaccine administration may occur in patients previously vaccinated or in those who have had previous exposure to pneumococci or pneumococcal polysaccharides.

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References