Vaccine Choice Canada Pneumococcal - Disease & Vaccine Information

Pneumococcal

Pneumococcus is a bacterium that can cause a wide range of illnesses, from mild cold symptoms and ear infections to severe pneumonia and meningitis. The bacterium is carried in the nose and throat and is transmitted by sneezing and coughing. A large portion of the population carries the bacterium without getting sick. There are more than 90 strains of pneumococcus bacterium.

The Vaccine

The first pneumococcal vaccine (Prevnar 7) was introduced in 2000 and covered 7 strains of pneumococcus. Although the vaccine conferred almost full protection against disease caused by the strains in the vaccine, strains not included have increased such that 98% of severe pneumococcal cases are from strains not included in Prevnar 7.
In 2010 Prevnar-13 was introduced and an additional 6 strains were added.
The vaccine is administered at 2, 4, 6, and 15 months.
The vaccine contains aluminum, a known neurotoxin.

Considerations for the Vaccine Decision

While the vaccine has been effective in reducing strains covered by the vaccine, it does not reduce the overall spread of the bacterium as other strains fill the void evacuated by the vaccine strains. This causes a shift in the bacterium and the consequences of this shift are unknown.
Richard Moskovitz states: “Characteristically, the industry has tackled the problem of serotype (strain) replacement by simply including more and more serotypes in the vaccine. With a whole generation of bacteria turning over within a few hours, the natural evolutionary process will quickly outsmart these attempts to manipulate and control it.”[43]
This vaccine contains aluminum, a known neurotoxin. Caution should be exercised to giving this vaccine at the same time as other vaccines containing aluminum to avoid toxic overload.
As of May 31, 2023, there have been 26,453 serious adverse events reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System in connection with pneumococcal vaccinations. Nearly 60% of these reported serious pneumococcal vaccine-related adverse events occurred in children 6 and under.[44]
A US HHS study acknowledged that less than 1% of vaccine adverse events are reported.[45]
The safety of the pneumococcal vaccine has not been proven against a true placebo.
Placing a young baby in a group day-care setting increases the risk of encountering diseases.

For more information: https://www.nvic.org/disease-vaccine/pneumococcal

References

[43] Vaccines: A Reappraisal. Dr. Richard Moskovitz, 2017. P. 202-203.

[44] https://www.nvic.org/disease-vaccine/pneumococcal/quick-facts

[45] Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System – https://digital.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/docs/publication/r18hs017045-lazarus-final-report-2011.pdf

Vaccine Product Monographs

Product: Prevnar 13 (Pfizer)

Product Monograph: https://www.pfizer.ca/files/Prevnar13-PM_E_219617_08Aug2019.pdf (61 pages)

Patient Information sheet: https://www.pfizer.ca/files/Prevnar13-PI_E_219617_08Aug2019.pdf

Manufacturer website: https://www.pfizer.ca/en/our-products