Carenotes > Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine For Children

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine For Children

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? The pneumococcal (new-mo-kok-ul) conjugate (kon-ju-gate) vaccine (PCV) protects children from pneumococcal disease. The PCV is given as an injection (shot) in a muscle.

What is pneumococcal disease? It is a serious disease that causes sickness and death. It is caused by a bacteria (germ) called the pneumococcus. It is spread from person to person through the air. Most children are infected in the winter and early spring. A pneumococcus infection may cause the following:

• Meningitis (men-in-ji-tis): an infection of the brain and spinal cord.
  
  
• Otitis media: infection of the ear.
  
  
• Pneumonia: infection in the lungs.
  
  
• Infections of the blood.

Who should get the PCV and when should they get it? The PCV can be given at the same time as other childhood vaccines.

• All children under 2 years old should get the vaccine at the following times:
  
  
  • 2 months.
    
    
  • 4 months.
    
    
  • 6 months.
    
    
  • 12 to 15 months.
  
  
• Some children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old with certain risk factors may need the vaccine. A caregiver will decide if a child is at a higher risk of getting a pneumococcal infection. These risk factors include:
  
  
  • A weak immune system (cannot fight infections well).
    
    
  • A child taking medicine that affects the immune system. This may include chemotherapy or steroids.
    
    
  • Sickle cell disease.
    
    
  • A spleen (an organ in the body) that does not work properly or work at all.
    
    
  • HIV infection.
    
    
  • Alaska Native, American Indian, or African American descent.
    
    
  • Children at day care centers outside of their own home.

What children should not get the PCV?

• A child who had a life-threatening allergic reaction to the PCV before, should not get the vaccine.
  
  
• A child with allergies to other vaccines or any other severe allergies may not get the PCV. A caregiver should be told if a child has any allergies before getting any vaccine. Parents should also let caregivers know if the child is taking any medicines before getting any vaccine.

What if my child has is sick or has a fever before getting the vaccine? Tell your child's caregiver if your child is sick or has a fever before getting this vaccine. Your child may need to wait until he feels better before getting this vaccine.

What if my child misses a dose of the PCV? Your child can still get the vaccine. The number of doses your child will receive may be different. Tell your child's caregiver if any doses have been missed. Your child's caregiver can change the scheduled time for your child to get the vaccine.

What are the risks from getting PCV? As with any medicine, this vaccine may cause some problems. Most children do not have any serious reactions to this vaccine. The risk of serious harm or death is very small.

• The most common problems that may happen are:
  
  
  • Redness, warmth, pain, or swelling where the shot was given.
    
    
  • Mild fever.
  
  
• Some signs of an allergic reaction to the vaccine may include:
  
  
  • Hives.
    
    
  • Itching.
    
    
  • Trouble breathing.

What can I do if my child has a fever and pain after the vaccine? Ask your child's caregiver what medicine your child should take for the pain or fever.

What should I do if my child has an allergic reaction to a vaccine?

• Call a caregiver or get your child to a caregiver right away if your child has hives or itching.
  
  
• Call 911 or 0 (operator) if your child is having trouble breathing. This is an emergency.
  
  
• Ask your child's caregiver to file a Vaccine Adverse Event Report if your child has a moderate to severe reaction to a vaccine. You may also contact the following:

• Vaccine Adverse Event Report
  Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
  1401 Rockville Pike, Ste 200N
  Rockville, MD 20852-1448
  Phone: 1-800-835-4709
  Web Address: www.fda.gov/cber/vaers/vaers.htm
  

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This is a federal program that helps pay for the care of anyone seriously injured by a vaccine. Contact the following for more information:

• Health Resources and Services Administration National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
  Parklawn Building, Room 11C-26, 5600 Fishers Lane
  Rockville , MD 20857
  Phone: 1-800-338-2382
  Web Address: http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/
  

How can I get more information about this and other vaccines? Ask your child's caregiver for more information or call one of the following organizations:

• Your local or state health department. They can give you the "Parents Guide to Childhood Immunizations" and other information.
  
  

• 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. To help with this plan, you must learn about pneumococcal disease and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care will be used to treat your child.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page