Immunization Assignment
Brandie Ingram
Chamberlain University College of Nursing
NR-566 Pharmacology for Primary Care
Dr. Angela Thompson
Nov 2020
, 2
Immunizations are an important part of becoming a healthy adult. The process in
which a person is made resistant to infectious diseases and illness is through immunizations or
vaccines. Vaccines are known to protect people from diseases like Diphtheria, Tetanus, and
Pertussis (DTaP) and pneumococcal disease. This paper will highlight the name of 2 diseases
and their respected vaccines, along with important information regarding those vaccines.
PPSV23
Pneumococcal disease is a pneumococcal infection caused by Streptococcus
pneumoniae bacteria. The preventable vaccination for this bacterium is the Pneumococcal 23-
valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV). Its trade name is Pneumovax 23. This vaccine is an
inactivated type and is contraindicated in persons with previous history of anaphylactic or severe
allergic reaction to any component of the pneumococcal vaccine, have a cochlear implant, or
those with a chronic cerebrospinal fluid leak (Micromedex, 2020). Precautions include patients
who are immunocompromised (may not have expected antibody response) (Micromedex, 2020).
Patients who have an acute illness (vaccination should be deferred) (CDC, 2020). Patients who
have a severe cardiovascular or respiratory dysfunction (a systemic reaction could occur)
(Micromedex, 2020).When also giving the Zostavax® vaccine, these vaccines should be given
separately (at least 4 weeks apart) to avoid a reduced immune response to the Zoster vaccine
(CDC, 2020). Adverse drug reactions that can occur are erythema and/or tenderness at injection
site, myalgia, and fatigue. The minimum age to receive vaccine is 2 years old and older (ACIP,
2020). All patients between 2 years old and 65 years old receive a one-time dose of 0.5 ml
intramuscularly or subcutaneously (ACIP, 2020). Special situations include patients who have
never received any pneumococcal vaccines should first be administered a dose of PCV13. After