Prevnar 13 Dosage

An Introduction to Dosages for Prevnar 13

There is only one standard dose for Prevnar 13^® (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine), although the vaccine schedule may vary, depending on the age of the individual at the first dosage.

 

Preferred Prevnar 13 Dosing Schedule

The standard Prevnar 13 dosage is 0.5 mL injected intramuscularly (into a muscle). For infants, the thigh is usually chosen, while the upper arm is generally preferred for toddlers or older children. The ideal vaccination schedule for Prevnar 13 is as follows:

 

The first dosage can be given as early as six weeks of age, and there should be at least four to eight weeks in between the doses. The fourth dosage should be given at least two months after the third dose.

 

This vaccine schedule is exactly the same as the one for the older version of Prevnar. In fact, Prevnar 13 can (and should) be used to complete the series for any child who started but has not yet finished the series with the older Prevnar vaccine.

 

In addition, all children under the age of five who have previously completed the older Prevnar series should receive one dose of Prevnar 13 in order to benefit from the extra protection this new vaccine provides.

 

Also, it is recommended that children age 6 to 18 years of age who are at an increased risk for invasive pneumococcal disease because of sickle cell disease, HIV infection (or other immunocompromising conditions), cochlear implant, or cerebrospinal fluid leaks should receive one Prevnar 13 dosage, regardless of previous vaccination with Prevnar or Pneumovax^®. This is an off-label use for the vaccine, however, since it is approved for use in children only up until the sixth birthday.