PNEUMOVAX 23—
Helps protect against multiple pneumococcal types.

Persons aged 50 to 64 years commonly have chronic illness and may be at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.¹

Pneumococcal disease is a serious threat.

• Many are at risk.
• More patients may be at risk than you think.
• Every visit is an opportunity.
• Help raise awareness about pneumococcal disease.

PNEUMOVAX 23 is indicated for vaccination against pneumococcal disease caused by those pneumococcal types included in the vaccine.

Select Safety Information
PNEUMOVAX 23 is contraindicated in individuals who are hypersensitive to any component of the vaccine.

PNEUMOVAX 23 will not prevent disease caused by capsular types of pneumococcus other than those contained in the vaccine.

The most common adverse experiences reported with PNEUMOVAX 23 in clinical trials were: Local reaction at injection site including soreness, erythema, warmth, swelling and induration, and fever <102°F.

In post-marketing experience, injection site cellulitis-like reactions were reported rarely; between 1989 and 2002, when approximately 43 million doses were distributed, the annual reporting rate was <2/100,000 doses.

Safety and effectiveness in children <2 years of age have not been established. Accordingly, PNEUMOVAX 23 is not recommended in this age group.

Vaccination with PNEUMOVAX 23 may not offer 100% protection from pneumococcal infection.

Before administering PNEUMOVAX 23, please read the Prescribing Information.

Many are at risk.
US vaccination rates are low, leaving millions at risk for pneumococcal diseases.²

• Current pneumococcal vaccination rates are far below the US Department of Health and Human Services' national goals²:

• NONE of the 50 states has met the goal for pneumococcal vaccination for >65 years of age.²

More patients may be at risk than you think.
The CDC^a published ACIP^b recommendations for the pneumococcal vaccination of patients you may see every day:

PNEUMOVAX 23 is indicated for vaccination against pneumococcal disease caused by those pneumococcal types included in the vaccine.

Select Safety Information
PNEUMOVAX 23 is contraindicated in individuals who are hypersensitive to any component of the vaccine.

For planning cancer chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive therapy (eg, for patients with Hodgkin’s disease or those who undergo organ or bone marrow transplantation) the timing of the vaccination is critical.

If the vaccine is used in persons receiving immunosuppressive therapy, the expected serum antibody response may not be obtained and potential impairment of future immune responses to pneumococcal antigens may occur.

PNEUMOVAX 23 should be given to pregnant women only if clearly needed.

Since elderly individuals may not tolerate medical interventions as well as younger individuals, a higher frequency and/or a greater severity of reactions in some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

Check the status of pneumococcal vaccination for patients at increased risk, especially those 65 years of age and older, at their next office visit.

Every visit is an opportunity.
Primary care physicians can be the primary line of defense for their at-risk patients.⁵

• In an analysis of missed opportunities for vaccination in the 2 years prior to developing invasive pneumococcal disease:
  — 92% of unvaccinated patients did not receive vaccination on one or more occasions when there
       was an opportunity⁵
  — 76% had visited their main health care provider at least one time prior to illness⁵
• In a study (1995–1998), 59% of cases of invasive pneumococcal disease in adults 18 to 64 years of age occurred in patients with chronic illnesses who were candidates for the pneumococcal vaccine.⁶

Any febrile respiratory illness or other active infection is reason for delaying use of PNEUMOVAX 23, except when, in the opinion of the physician, withholding the agent entails even greater risk.

Vaccination with PNEUMOVAX 23 may not offer 100% protection from pneumococcal infection.

Before administering PNEUMOVAX 23, please read the Prescribing Information.

Help raise awareness about pneumococcal disease.
Please view our resource catalog to order complimentary resources that may help educate patients and support your vaccination efforts.

Please go to the pneumococcal disease page to learn more about this serious threat to millions of patients at risk.

PNEUMOVAX 23 is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.

References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of pneumococcal disease. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR. 1997;46(RR-8):1–24. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage among persons aged >65 years and persons aged 18–64 years with diabetes and asthma—United States, 2003. MMWR. 2004;53(43):1007–1011. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Improving influenza, pneumococcal polysaccharide, and hepatitis B vaccination coverage among adults aged <65 years at high risk. A report on Recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. MMWR. 2005;54(RR-5):1–13. 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage among persons aged >65 years—United States, 2004–2005. MMWR. 2006;55(39):1065–1068. 5. Kyaw MH, Greene CM, Schaffner W, et al, and the Active Bacterial Core Surveillance Program of the Emerging Infections Program Network. Adults with invasive pneumococcal disease. Missed opportunities for vaccination. Am J Prev Med. 2006;31(4):286–292. 6. Robinson KA, Baughman W, Rothrock G, et al. Epidemiology of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae infections in the United States, 1995–1998. Opportunities for prevention in the conjugate vaccine era. JAMA. 2001;285(13):1729–1735.