"Our vaccine is unique because it protects against all strains of the bacterium. It has gone beyond the basic science of antigen discovery."
Gamma irradiation is used to target and break down the DNA strands on the pneumococcal bacterium.
This ensures that the bug is no longer viable and is unable to replicate.
The gamma irradiation also leaves proteins on the surface of the bug intact, which is important because it allows them to be recognised by the immune system.
" Super-vaccine to guard against all strains of pneumococcal disease (90 strains)"
Effective against all known strains
I’ve had the 13 strains vaccine.
Unfortunately earlier this year I got #14. Wasn’t too sick at least.
This is good news. Especially for some of us old guys. I had a very serious bout with pneumonia almost three years ago. I almost died.
My doctor told me it is a miracle I survived considering my age. Most people my age do not make it.
A bout with pneumonia will take the starch out of ya...I'll swear to that.
I have a Medicare Advantage plan, but Medicare paid 100% for my general pneumonia shot.
I asked my Doctor about the Prevnar 13. He said it would be a good idea, since they recommend 2 years between the general shot and the Prevnar.
Medicare paid 100% for my Prevnar 13 shot, too.
Yeah, wait until it turns people into zombies. /s
Really, this is good news. We as a species should be able to wipe out most traditional communicable diseases sometime in the next 20-30 years. It’ll be, ah, interesting to see what Mother Nature comes up with as a response.