Pneumococcal 13-valent Vaccine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 2, 2024.

Applies to pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine: intramuscular suspension.

Precautions

It is very important that your child return to your doctor’s office at the right time for all of the doses. Be sure to notify your doctor of any side effects that occur after your child receives this vaccine.

This vaccine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child has a rash, itching, swelling of the tongue and throat, or trouble breathing after receiving the vaccine.

The pneumococcal 13-valent diphtheria conjugate vaccine will not protect you or your child against all types of pneumococcal infections. It will also not treat an active infection.

Make sure the doctor knows if you are receiving a treatment or using a medicine that causes a weak immune system. This includes radiation treatment, steroid medicines (eg, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone), or cancer medicines. .

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine:

More common side effects

• fever

Rare side effects

• chest pain
• chills
• coughing
• difficult or labored breathing
• difficulty with swallowing
• fast heartbeat
• noisy breathing
• seizures
• skin itching, rash, or redness
• sneezing
• sore throat
• swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
• tightness in the chest

Incidence not known

• bladder pain
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloody or cloudy urine
• bluish lips or skin
• body aches or pain
• choking
• confusion
• decreased urine output
• diarrhea
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• dilated neck veins
• ear congestion
• extreme fatigue
• fainting
• frequent urge to urinate
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• hives or itching
• irregular breathing
• irregular heartbeat
• joint or muscle pain
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• lightheadedness
• loss of appetite
• loss of voice
• lower back or side pain
• muscle aches and pains
• nasal congestion
• nausea
• not breathing
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid, shallow breathing
• red, irritated eyes
• runny nose
• shivering
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• sweating
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• trouble sleeping
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weight gain

Other side effects

Some side effects of pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• decreased appetite
• decreased sleep
• irritability
• red streaks on the skin
• swelling, tenderness, or pain at the injection site

Rare side effects

• abdominal or stomach pain
• crying
• weakness
• welts

Incidence not known

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• eye discharge or excessive tearing
• pain
• stomach cramps
• tenderness

For healthcare professionals

Applies to pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine: intramuscular suspension.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were local reactions, irritability, sleep changes, decreased appetite, and fever. Musculoskeletal events were common in adults.^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Local tenderness (89%), local redness (70%), local swelling (44.5%), induration (32.6%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lymphadenopathy localized to the region of the vaccination site
• Postmarketing reports: Vaccination site dermatitis, vaccination site urticaria, vaccination site pruritus^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity reaction (including face edema, dyspnea, and bronchospasm)
• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reaction including shock^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (81.4%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Seizures (including febrile seizures)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypotonic-hyporesponsive episode^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fever (43%), fatigue
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Crying
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Sudden infant death syndrome^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): New muscle pain (82%), aggravated muscle pain (55.9%), new joint pain (41.7%), chills (38.1%) aggravated joint pain (28.6%)^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite (51%)^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Irritability (85.6%), increased sleep (71.5%), decreased sleep (45.6%)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Vomiting (15%), diarrhea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastroenteritis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hives (urticaria), rash
• Postmarketing reports: Flushing, angioedema, erythema multiforme^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchiolitis, pneumonia^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer