How Long Does The Prevnar 13 Vaccine Last

What Are The Risks Of A Vaccine Reaction

• Redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness where the shot is given, and fever, loss of appetite, fussiness , feeling tired, headache, and chills can happen after PCV13 vaccination.

Young children may be at increased risk for seizures caused by fever after PCV13 if it is administered at the same time as inactivated influenza vaccine. Ask your health care provider for more information.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a veryremote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.

Tell Your Vaccination Provider If The Person Getting The Vaccine:

• Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of PCV13, to an earlier pneumococcal conjugate vaccine known as PCV7, or to any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid , or has any severe, life-threatening allergies

In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone PCV13 vaccination until a future visit.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting PCV13.

Your health care provider can give you more information.

What Are The Side Effects Of Prevnar 13

With any medication, there are risks and benefits. Even if the medication is working, you may experience some unwanted side effects.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Serious allergic reactions: hives, dizziness, fever, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, low blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your doctor know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

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How Is Prevnar 13 Given

Prevnar 13 is given as an injection into a muscle.

For infants and toddlers, the pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 6 weeks to 2 months old. The booster shots are then given at 4 months, 6 months, and 12 to 15 months of age.

If your child is 7 months to 5 years old, he or she can still receive Prevnar 13 on the following schedule:

• Age 7-11 months: Two shots at least 4 weeks apart, followed by a third shot after the child turns 1 year .

• Age 12-23 months: Two shots at least 2 months apart.

• Age 24 months to 5 years : One shot.

The timing of this vaccination is very important for it to be effective. Your child’s individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor’s instructions or the schedule recommended by your local health department.

For adults and children older than 5 years, Prevnar 13 is usually given as one shot.

Be sure to keep your child on a regular schedule for other immunizations such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis , hepatitis, and varicella . Your doctor or state health department can provide you with a recommended immunization schedule.

Pneumonia Vaccine Side Effects

Most people who get a pneumococcal vaccine do not experience many side effects. While theres always a chance of side effects for any medication, the pneumonia vaccine side effects are usually mild and go away on their own after a few days, with serious reactions being rare.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccineMild problems following pneumococcal conjugate vaccination can include:

• Reactions at the injection site
• Redness

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Who Needs To Get Vaccinated For Meningitis

Its especially important for you to keep all of your meningitis vaccinations up-to-date if you fall into a high-risk category for getting the disease. High-risk categories include:

• Certain Ages. Infants less than one-year-old and young adults between the ages of 16 and 21 are the most likely to develop meningitis. Its most important to have all boosters and available vaccinations at these ages.
• Crowded Settings. Large group settings like college campuses are where outbreaks of meningitis are the most common. Get your vaccines up-to-date before entering into these settings for extended periods of time.
• Certain underlying conditions. Some underlying medical conditions can increase your chance of getting meningitis. These include HIV and other conditions that weaken your immune system. Not having a spleen also places you at higher risk.
• Work that involves meningitis-causing agents. Microbiologists and any other researchers that regularly come into contact with the bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis are consistently at risk.
• Travel to certain areas. Some areas in the world like sub-Saharan Africa have higher rates of meningitis and the pathogens that cause it. Check with your doctor before traveling to new parts of the world.

Persons With Chronic Diseases

Refer to Immunization of Persons with Chronic Diseases in Part 3 for additional information about vaccination of people with chronic diseases.

Asplenia or hyposplenia

Hyposplenic or asplenic individuals should receive Pneu-C-13 vaccine and Pneu-P-23 vaccine, followed by a booster dose of Pneu-P-23 vaccine. Refer to Table 3, Table 4 and Booster doses and re-immunization for additional information.

Chronic kidney disease and patients on dialysis

Individuals with chronic kidney disease should receive age appropriate pneumococcal vaccines. Children less than 18 years of age with chronic kidney failure or nephrotic syndrome, should receive Pneu-C-13 vaccine and Pneu-P-23 vaccine. Adults with chronic kidney failure should receive Pneu-P-23 vaccine. Adults with nephrotic syndrome should receive Pneu-C-13 and Pneu-P-23 vaccine. Due to the decreased immunogenicity and efficacy of Pneu-P-23 vaccine in children and adults with chronic kidney failure, 1 booster dose of Pneu-P-23 vaccine is recommended. Refer to Table 3, Table 4 and Booster doses and re-immunization for additional information.

Neurologic disorders

Chronic lung disease, including asthma

Chronic heart disease

Chronic liver disease

Endocrine and metabolic diseases

Non-malignant hematologic disorders

Cochlear implants

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Typical Dosing For Prevnar 13

• Infants and toddlers: Prevnar 13 is typically administered as a four-dose series at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 to 15 months. Each dose is 1 injection into the muscle.
• Children ages 7 months to 5 years old: If your child hasn’t received Prevnar 13 in the past, your child’s provider will determine how many doses of the vaccine your child needs based on their age. Each dose is 1 injection into the muscle.
• People ages 6 years and older: The typical dose is 1 injection into the muscle.

How Do You Get Immunised Against Pneumococcal Disease

You can only get pneumococcal vaccines on their own, not as a combination vaccine. Different vaccines protect against different types of pneumococcal disease. They are all given as a needle.

There are 2 types of pneumococcal vaccine:

• Pneumovax 23 – PDF 21 KB – covers 23 strains of pneumococcal disease.

The type of vaccine used and the dosage schedule will depend on age and any conditions that put people at higher risk of getting pneumococcal disease. Your doctor can tell you which vaccine they will use for your pneumococcal immunisation.

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The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP website at or call to learn about the program and about filing a claim.

Are You 65 Or Older Get Two Vaccinations Against Pneumonia

• By Gregory Curfman, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Former Editor-in-Chief, Harvard Health Publishing

ARCHIVED CONTENT: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date each article was posted or last reviewed. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

If you or a loved one is age 65 or older, getting vaccinated against pneumonia is a good idea so good that the Centers for Disease Control now recommends that everyone in this age group get vaccinated against pneumonia twice.

This new recommendation is based on findings from a large clinical trial called CAPiTA, which were published today in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Streptococcus pneumoniae, sometimes just called pneumococcus, is a common bacterium that can cause serious lung infections like pneumonia. It can also cause invasive infections of the bloodstream, the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord , and other organs and tissues. Older individuals are especially prone to being infected by Pneumococcus, and these infections are often deadly.

The dark spots are pneumonia-causing Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria isolated from the blood of an infected person.

One caveat is that while PCV13 is effective in preventing pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae, it does not prevent pneumonia caused by viruses or other bacteria.

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Who Should Get Pneumococcal Vaccines

CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all children younger than 2 years old and all adults 65 years or older. In certain situations, older children and other adults should also get pneumococcal vaccines. Below is more information about who should and should not get each type of pneumococcal vaccine.

Talk to your or your childs doctor about what is best for your specific situation.

Prevnar 13 Safety Information

Prevnar 13 should not be used if you are allergic to the active substances, to any other ingredients, or to any other vaccine that contains diphtheria toxoid.

Take special care with Prevnar 13:

• If you have any present or past medical problems after any dose of Prevnar 13
• If you are sick with a high fever
• If you have any bleeding problems

Prevnar 13 will only protect against diseases caused by the types of Streptococcus pneumoniae covered by the vaccine.

The most common side effects reported in at least 1 in 10 adults are decreased appetite, headache, diarrhea, rash, new joint pain/aggravated joint pain, new muscle pain/aggravated muscle pain, chills, fatigue, vomiting , any pain, tenderness, redness, swelling or hardness at the injection site, limitation of arm movement. Common side effects reported in at least 1 in 100 adults, but less than 1 in 10 adults, are vomiting and fever.

As with any vaccine, Prevnar 13 will not protect 100% of those who receive the vaccine.

Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if Prevnar 13 is right for you.

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Medical Conditions Resulting In High Risk Of Ipd

Table 1: Medical Conditions Resulting in High risk of IPD

Non-immunocompromising conditions

IPD is more common in the winter and spring in temperate climates.

Spectrum of clinical illness

Although asymptomatic upper respiratory tract colonization is common, infection with S. pneumoniae may result in severe disease. IPD is a severe form of infection that occurs when S. pneumoniae invades normally sterile sites, such as the bloodstream or central nervous system. Bacteremia and meningitis are the most common manifestations of IPD in children 2 years of age and younger. Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common presentation among adults and is a common complication following influenza. The case fatality rate of bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia is 5% to 7% and is higher among elderly persons. Bacterial spread within the respiratory tract may result in AOM, sinusitis or recurrent bronchitis.

Disease distribution

Worldwide, pneumococcal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization estimates that almost 500,000 deaths among children aged less than 5 years are attributable to pneumococcal disease each year. In Canada, IPD is most common among the very young and adults over 65 years of age.

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Prevnar13 Faqs For Health Professionals

What is the difference between Prevnar® and Prevnar®13?

Prevnar®13 offers protection against six additional serotypes of pneumococcal bacteria. The six new serotypes in Prevnar®13 are in addition to those serotypes contained in Prevnar® .

Will these six serotypes make a difference?

YES. In New Brunswick between 2006 and 2008 there were 40 cases of IPD caused by the six new serotypes contained in the Prevnar®13 vaccine.

What is the immunization schedule for Prevnar®13?

The New Brunswick immunization schedule for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has changed as of July 1st 2010. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine schedule changed from a 3+1 to a 2+1 schedule. Prevnar®13, the successor to Prevnar®, will be given at 2, 4 and 12 months of age. This schedule was shown to be equivalent to the previous NB immunization schedule with Prevnar®, which was given at 2,4,6, and 18 months of age.

For healthy infants:

Unimmunized infants aged 2 to 12 months three doses of Prevnar®13 vaccine given at 2, 4 and 12 months of age. The first two doses must be given at least 8 weeks apart.

Infants who have started a series of Prevnar®: Complete any remaining doses as per NB transition table with Prevnar®13 .

Infants who have completed their Prevnar® series: An additional dose of Prevnar®13 will be given to children up to the age of 23 months until the 31 March 2011.

For high risk infants:

Unimmunized infants doses of Prevnar®13 vaccine given at 2, 4, and 12 months of age.

Table 1

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What Is A Pneumococcal Vaccine

A pneumococcal vaccine is an injection that can prevent pneumococcal disease. A pneumococcal disease is any illness that is caused by pneumococcal bacteria, including pneumonia. In fact, the most common cause of pneumonia is pneumococcal bacteria. This type of bacteria can also cause ear infections, sinus infections, and meningitis.

Adults age 65 or older are amongst the highest risk groups for getting pneumococcal disease.

To prevent pneumococcal disease, there are two types of pneumococcal vaccines: the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine .

Frequently Asked Questions About Prevnar 13

Who should get Prevnar 13?

Four doses of Prevnar 13 is recommended for infants and young children. Older children can be vaccinated if they didn’t receive the recommended four-dose series. Prevnar 13 is also recommended for people 6 years or older with certain medical conditions. Finally, healthy adults age 65 years or older who haven’t received Prevnar 13 can discuss with their provider whether or not this vaccine is needed. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you aren’t sure if you need to receive Prevnar 13.

Why is it important to get Prevnar 13 if I need it?

Prevnar 13 targets pneumococcus, which is a bacteria that can cause serious and life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia or meningitis. Just like all vaccines, receiving Prevnar 13 doesn’t guarantee you won’t get an infection from pneumococcus. But it will lower your risk of severe symptoms if you were to get infected with pneumococcus because your body would’ve already made antibodies against the bacteria.

Where can I go to receive Prevnar 13?

Prevnar 13 is given as an injection into the muscle by a healthcare provider. It’s not a vaccination you can pickup at the pharmacy and give to yourself at home. You can usually receive Prevnar 13 at your provider’s office or your local pharmacy, but it might also be available at certain community sites .

What’s the difference between Prevnar 13, Pneumovax 23, Prevnar 20, and Vaxneuvance?

Does Prevnar 13 contain latex?

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Prevnar 13 Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Prevnar 13: hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of all side effects you have. If you need a booster dose, you will need to tell the vaccination provider if the previous shot caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with pneumococcal disease is much more dangerous to your health than receiving Prevnar 13. However, like any medicine, Prevnar 13 can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is low.

• severe stomach pain, severe vomiting or diarrhea

• wheezing, trouble breathing

• high fever

• seizure or

• sleeping more or less than usual

• swelling, tenderness, or redness where a shot was given

• trouble moving the arm where a shot was given

• crying or fussiness

• vomiting, loss of appetite or

• rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Persons New To Canada

Health care providers who see persons newly arrived in Canada should review the immunization status and update immunization for these individuals, as necessary. Review of pneumococcal vaccination status is particularly important for persons from areas of the world where sickle cell disease is present, as persons with sickle cell disease are at risk of serious pneumococcal infections. In many countries outside of Canada, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is in limited use. Refer to Immunization of Persons New to Canada in Part 3 for additional information about vaccination of people who are new to Canada.

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Who Should Get The Vaccine

People over age 65. As you age, your immune system doesnât work as well as it once did. Youâre more likely to have trouble fighting off a pneumonia infection. All adults over age 65 should get the vaccine.

Those with weakened immune systems. Many diseases can cause your immune system to weaken, so itâs less able to fight off bugs like pneumonia.

If you have heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, asthma, or COPD , youâre more likely to have a weakened immune system, which makes you more likely to get pneumonia.

The same goes for people who receive chemotherapy, people who have had organ transplants, and people with HIV or AIDS.

People who smoke. If youâve smoked for a long time, you could have damage to the small hairs that line the insides of your lungs and help filter out germs. When theyâre damaged, they arenât as good at stopping those bad germs.

Heavy drinkers. If you drink too much alcohol, you may have a weakened immune system. Your white blood cells donât work as well as they do for people with a healthy immune system.

People getting over surgery or a severe illness. If you were in the hospital ICU and needed help breathing with a ventilator, youâre at risk of getting pneumonia. The same is true if youâve just had major surgery or if youâre healing from a serious injury. When your immune system is weak because of illness or injury or because itâs helping you get better from surgery, you canât fight off germs as well as you normally can.