Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

Healthcare providers recommend that babies get the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which is approved to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease and ear infections. The vaccination usually comes in a series of four shots, given several months apart starting in infancy. The product was specifically developed to allow the young immune systems of infants and toddlers to respond to the vaccine. This product is also approved for older adults in certain cases.

What Is the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine?

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar 13®) is a childhood vaccine approved to prevent the following infections:
 
  • Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) -- a group of potentially life-threatening diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, such as bacterial meningitis, bacteremia, and pneumonia 
  • Ear infections caused by certain strains of S. pneumoniae.

 

Prevnar 13 is also approved for preventing pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease in adults age 50 years and older.
 
Prevnar 13 was approved in February 2010. Prevnar 13 is the "new-and-improved" version of Prevnar that provides protection against more types of the bacteria. The old Prevnar is no longer being made.

 

(Click What Is the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Used For? for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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