The key difference between pneumococcal vaccine and flu vaccine is that pneumococcal vaccine is a type of vaccine against the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae while flu vaccine is a type of vaccine against the virus influenza.
A vaccine is a biological preparation that protects people against infectious diseases by providing acquired immunity. The process of administration of vaccines is called vaccination. There are different vaccines used for different diseases, such as vaccines for pneumococcal diseases, influenza, polio, measles, tetanus, HPV, etc.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Pneumococcal Vaccine
3. What is Flu Vaccine
4. Similarities – Pneumococcal Vaccine and Flu Vaccine
5. Pneumococcal Vaccine vs Flu Vaccine in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Pneumococcal Vaccine vs Flu Vaccine
What is Pneumococcal Vaccine?
Pneumococcal vaccine is a type of vaccine against the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. The use of this vaccine can prevent some cases of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines: conjugate vaccine and polysaccharide vaccine. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is a type of pneumococcal vaccine that protects infants, young children, and adults against diseases caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumonia. It contains purified capsular polysaccharides of pneumococcal serotypes conjugated to a carrier protein to enhance antibody response. On the other hand, the polysaccharide vaccine contains only the capsular polysaccharide pneumococcal serotypes. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is widely used in high-risk adults.
Figure 01: Pneumococcal Vaccine
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the conjugate vaccine in routine immunizations that are given to children. The most common side effects of using a pneumococcal vaccine in children include decreased appetite, fever, irritability, reactions at the site of injection (reddening, hardening of skin, swelling, pain tenderness), somnolence, and poor quality sleep. In adults, it produces side effects such as decreased appetite, headaches, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, rash, reactions at the site of injection, limitation of arm movement, arthralgia, myalgia, chills, and fatigue.
What is Flu Vaccine?
Flu vaccine is a type of vaccine against the influenza virus that causes seasonal flu. It is also known as flu jab or flu shot. It protects people from infections caused by influenza viruses. As the influenza virus is rapidly changing, new versions of flu vaccines are developed twice a year. Moreover, there are different types of flu vaccines, such as flu shot, live attenuated influenza vaccine, quadrivalent influenza vaccine (protect against 2 influenza A viruses and 2 influenza B viruses), adjuvanted flu vaccine (contains an extra ingredient to cause stronger immune responses), cell-based flu vaccine, recombinant flu vaccine (made through recombinant technology), and flu vaccination by jet injector.
Figure 02: Flu Vaccine
The side effects of flu vaccines may include soreness, redness, swelling where the shot was given, headache, fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue. Fever, temporary muscle pains, feelings of tiredness may also occur in 5 to 10 % of children. The vaccine is also linked to the increase in Guillain-Barre syndrome among older people. Furthermore, the live, weakened form of the flu vaccine is normally not recommended for pregnant women, children (less than two years), adults older than 50, and people who have weakened immunity.
What are the Similarities Between Pneumococcal Vaccine and Flu Vaccine?
- Pneumococcal vaccine and flu vaccine are two types of different vaccines.
- Both vaccine types contain the attenuated or weakened pathogen.
- These vaccine types enhance adaptive immunity.
- Both vaccines types are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for children and adults.
- They protect the lives of millions of people worldwide.
What is the Difference Between Pneumococcal Vaccine and Flu Vaccine?
Pneumococcal vaccine is a type of vaccine against the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae while flu vaccine is a type of vaccine against the virus influenza. Thus, this is the key difference between pneumococcal vaccine and flu vaccine. Furthermore, pneumococcal vaccine provides protection against some cases of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. On the other hand, flu vaccine provides protection against seasonal flu.
The below infographic presents the differences between pneumococcal vaccine and flu vaccine in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Pneumococcal Vaccine vs Flu Vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccine and flu vaccine are two types of different vaccines. Pneumococcal vaccine protects against the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, while flu vaccine protects against the virus influenza. So, this is the key difference between pneumococcal vaccine and flu vaccine
Reference:
1. “Seasonal Flu Vaccines.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2. “Pneumococcal Vaccination.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Pneumovax 23” By Waddie96 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Flu Vaccination Grippe (5115654021)” By Daniel Paquet from Regina, Canada – Flu Vaccination Grippe (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia