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This vaccine protects against the pneumococcus bacteria, formerly the
leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States.
Pneumococcal disease also may lead to other health
conditions including blood infection, pneumonia or ear
infections. Brain damage or deafness may occur in those
recovering from meningitis.
Before a pneumococcal vaccine was available, infection
caused by the pneumococcus bacteria led to more than 700
cases of meningitis, 13,000 blood infections and 5 million
ear infections. Some strains of pneumococcus bacteria have
become antibiotic resistant. Because of this, it is even
more imperative to receive the pneumococcal conjugate
vaccine.
Prevention is the key to not contracting pneumococcal
disease, and the most effective preventive method is the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
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Who should receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?
Children under the age of 2 should receive a routine
schedule of four doses with one dose being received
at the following ages:
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2 months
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4 months
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6 months
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12 to 15 months
Children between the ages of 2 and 5 years who were not
vaccinated against pneumococcal disease and are at high risk
of becoming infected with this disease should receive the
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. This includes children with:
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sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS, chronic heart
disease or liver disease
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a damaged spleen or no spleen
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weakened immune systems due to other
diseases or medications
If a child has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a
component of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or to a
previous dosage of this vaccine, the vaccine should not be
used. Children with minor illnesses should receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, but those with
moderate-to-severe illnesses should wait until they are
fully recovered to receive this vaccine.
Review the
vaccination
schedule for those who start late on a vaccine or are more than one
month behind.
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When did the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine become
available?
The first pneumococcal vaccine was Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed
in the United States in 1977 and still is in use today for
older children and adults. In February 2000, the
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was FDA licensed for
use in infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
How does someone become infected with pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcous bacteria are spread by person-to-person
contact.
How effective is the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?
This vaccine is 97 percent effective in protecting against
seven types of pneumococcus bacteria contained in the
vaccine and 89 percent effective in preventing disease
caused by all strains of pneumococcus if all doses are
received. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine also reduces
the number of ear infections by 10 percent and the need for
middle ear tubes or PE tubes by 20 percent.
Are there any serious side effects of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?
Mild side effects may include:
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injection-site soreness
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fever
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loss of appetite
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fussiness and drowsiness
How do I learn more about this vaccine?
The best person to ask about this or any vaccine is your
child’s pediatrician or your primary health care provider.
Your provider can answer your questions and give you more
information on the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
Immunization is the best thing you can do for your child
to
protect against pneumococcal disease.
 
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