Does a pneumococcal vaccine protect against COVID-19?

A pneumococcal vaccine does not protect against COVID-19. The pneumococcal vaccine is specifically designed to prevent infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and blood poisoning (sepsis). COVID-19, on the other hand, is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a completely different type of pathogen.

The pneumococcal vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce specific antibodies against the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. These antibodies do not provide protection against viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. The immunity induced by the pneumococcal vaccine does not provide cross-reactive protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus because the immune system needs different mechanisms and antibodies to tackle viral infections.

COVID-19 patients, especially those with severe symptoms, may be more vulnerable to secondary bacterial infections such as pneumococcal pneumonia. The pneumococcal vaccine can help prevent these additional infections and thus reduce the overall disease burden.

The pneumococcal vaccine does not provide direct protection against COVID-19 because it targets a bacterial pathogen, while COVID-19 is caused by a virus. However, it is still important for at-risk groups to be vaccinated against pneumococci to prevent additional health complications.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/index.html

Source: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2023-12-10 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024