Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine For Children

What is pneumococcal disease?

• Pneumococcal disease is an illness caused by an infection from pneumococci bacteria (germ). The germ may infect different parts of your child's body. It is one of the common causes of pneumonia (lung infection). It may also cause serious diseases, such as meningitis and sepsis. Meningitis is an infection and swelling of the fluid and lining that covers your child's brain and spinal cord. Sepsis is an infection in your child's blood. The germ is also a common cause of otitis media (middle-ear infection).
  
  
• Pneumococcal disease is more common during the winter months. The germ is easily spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Children younger than 2 years of age have a higher risk of getting pneumococcal disease. Having your child vaccinated with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) may decrease his risk of having the disease.

What is the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?

• The PCV is a shot of medicine that is given to babies and young children. The PCV is made with 7 different dead pneumococcal germs. The germs that make the vaccine are the ones that commonly cause pneumococcal disease in children. The PCV works by causing your child's body to make antibodies against the germs. Antibodies are special cells in your child's blood that protect his body and fight infection. After your child receives the PCV, these antibodies remember the germs. When your child is exposed to the germs, the antibodies become active. With active antibodies, your child's body is better able to fight the germs.
  
  
• When your child gets the PCV, it decreases the risk of others around him from getting pneumococcal disease. After getting the PCV, your child is less likely to pass pneumococci germs to others. The PCV is normally injected into your child's thigh muscle.

Who should get the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?

• All children under 2 years of age.
  
  
• Children 2 to 5 years of age who have not received all of their PCV shots.
  
  
• Children 6 to 18 years of age who have certain medical conditions, including HIV or weak immune system, spleen disease, cochlear implants, and leaking of spinal fluid.

When is the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine given and how many doses are needed?

The number and schedule of PCV doses your child needs will depend on his age. The schedule may also depend on if your child has received previous shots of the PCV. Children with certain medical conditions may require additional shots. The PCV may be given as early as 6 weeks of age. It can be given at the same time as other childhood vaccines. Ask your child's caregiver how many doses of the vaccine your child needs, and when they will be given.

• If your child is under 2 years of age, he should get 4 doses of the PCV as follows:
  
  
  • The first dose at 2 months old.
    
    
  • A second dose at 4 months old.
    
    
  • A third dose at 6 months old.
    
    
  • A fourth dose at 12 to 15 months old.
  
  
• If your child is healthy and is between 2 to 5 years old and is not completely vaccinated, he will need 1 dose of PCV.
  
  
• If your child is 6 to 18 years old and has a medical condition that increases his risk of pneumococcal disease, he may need 1 dose of PCV. Conditions that increase risk include HIV or weak immune system, spleen disease, cochlear implants, and leaking of spinal fluid.

What if my child misses a shot of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?

If a child misses a scheduled dose of the PCV, the remaining shots should still be completed. Ask your child's caregiver what to do if a PCV dose was missed.

Who should not get the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?

• Children who should not get the PCV: Tell your child's caregiver if your child has allergies or is taking any medicine before getting the vaccine. The PCV should not be given if your child has had an allergic response to a previous shot. Your child should also not receive the PCV if he is allergic to any part of the vaccine. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the parts that make up the PCV.
  
  
• Children who should wait to get the PCV: Getting the PCV may be delayed if your child is moderately or severely sick, with or without fever. Your child may get the vaccine when his illness has gone away. Having colds or other mild sicknesses, with or without fever, should not stop him from getting the PCV. Your child may also receive the vaccine if he is taking antibiotics. Ask your child's caregiver if your child needs to wait before receiving the PCV.

What are the risks of getting the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?

• Your child may have mild reactions after getting the PCV. The area where the shot was given may become red, swollen, and painful. Your child may get a fever and become fussy or irritable. He may have a decreased appetite for food and drinks. These mild reactions may occur up to 7 days after getting the shot.
  
  
• Your child may still get pneumococcal disease after having the vaccine. Rarely, the PCV may cause a bad allergic response, swollen lymph nodes (glands), or kidney problems. The risk of problems is much higher if your child gets pneumococcal disease than it is from getting the vaccine.

What are the signs and symptoms of an allergic response to the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?

Signs and symptoms of an allergic response to the PCV normally happen within minutes after receiving the shot. Wait in the office of your child's caregiver for at least 15 minutes. Doing this will make it easier for you to get help if your child has an allergic response. The following are signs and symptoms of a bad allergic response:

• Redness or swelling of your child's face
  
  
• Hives (red, itchy bumps) or a rash that spreads over your child's body
  
  
• Weakness and dizziness
  
  
• Swelling of your child's mouth and throat
  
  
• Wheezing and trouble breathing
  
  
• Loss of consciousness (passing out)

What should I do if my child has an allergic response to the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?

Your child may have an allergic response to the vaccine. The area where the shot was given may become red, swollen, and painful. Your child may get a fever, and become fussy or irritable. He may have a decreased appetite for food and drinks. Mild responses may occur up to 7 days after getting the shot.

• If your child has a rash that spreads, has trouble breathing, or passes out seek medical care immediately . Have him lie down with his legs elevated. Keep his legs at a level that is a little above his heart. Bring your child to the nearest hospital or call 911 or your local emergency number. Tell your child's caregiver that he had a PCV shot. Tell your child's caregiver when (date and time) the vaccine was given.
  
  

Where can I get more information about the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?

• The National Immunization Program Public Inquiries
  1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-05
  Atlanta , GA 30333
  Phone: 1- 800 - 232-4636
  Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers to decide what care you want for your child.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.