PCV (Prevnar) when child has already had pneumonia

[blhanson1]

Hi,

I have a question and I'm sorry if this sounds stupid.  My 18 month old daughter had bacteria pnuemonia in November.  Couple of doses of antibiotics and she was fine.  No big deal.  No complications.  My pediatrician is always on me about my lackadaisical vaccination schedule and is REALLY adamant that I get the PCV shot for my daughter now that she has had pneumonia. 

They did not do a swab, so I don't know the exact strain of bacteria that caused the pnuemonia, but if it was a strain that is included in the vaccine, wouldn't she now have immunity? 

Does the past pneumonia predispose her to catching pneumonia again as someone suggested to me? 

If I wait until she is 2 years old does she only need 1 dose (which is what is sounds like from the CDC, but written in a confusing way)?  

Thanks for your insight!

[Rrrrrachel]

I don't know about predisposition, but the vaccine contains several strains. Even if she had one strain in the vaccine and it induced immunity (not all diseases do, I not sure about this one but I'll help you look) the vaccine would still dd immunity for the others. Seems worthwhile IMO.

[MeepyCat]

Pneumonia is not a single disease, it's a condition caused by any of a variety of bacteria taking up residence in the lung.  Unfortunately, pneumonia tends to leave a patient (adult or child) more prone to subsequent pneumonias, because of residual scarring that increases the reactivity of the lungs.  So your daughter is at higher risk for pneumonia now then she was before she had the first round.