Diseases & Conditions
Is the new pneumonia vaccine better?
The "new" pneumonia vaccine, known as Prevnar 13, is actually based on an older vaccine used in children. Prevnar 13 protects against 13 strains of pneumococcus. Despite containing fewer strains in the vaccine, it makes the body produce a higher level of protective antibodies. Studies are under way to find out if Prevnar 13 protects against pneumonia better than the older vaccine.
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