Pneumococcal Disease
• Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of serious illness throughout the world. Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria, which can lead to serious infection in the lungs, blood, and brain.
• You can catch the pneumococcal bacteria from people who cough or sneeze around you.
• Even if you get good medical care, pneumonia can be deadly. The disease is hard to treat because the bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics.
• Anyone can get pneumococcal disease. You are at greater risk if you are 65 or older, very young, have heart or lung disease, or your immune system is weakened.
• Vaccination is the best way to prevent pneumococcal infection.
• There are two types of pneumococcal vaccine – pneumococcal conjugate (PCV, known as Prevnar) and pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV, known as Pneumovax).
• Some people need only one type of pneumococcal vaccine. But some people need both types.
| Pneumococcal Vaccine Schedule |
| Children |
| Children should receive 4 doses of Prevnar. The first dose should be given at 2 months, the second dose at 4 months, the third dose at 6 months, and the fourth dose at 12-15 months. Older children (through 4 years of age) who were not vaccinated as infants need 1 or 2 doses of Prevnar. Prevnar is not recommended for healthy children 5 years of age and older. Some children age 2 years and older with certain health conditions (such as heart or lung disease or treatment with certain medications) may also need one or more doses of Pneumovax. |
| Adults |
| Neither type of pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for healthy adults age 19 through 64 years who do not smoke cigarettes. Adults age 65 years and older should receive a dose of Pneumovax on or after age 65 years. If you received a dose of Pneumovax before age 65 years you should wait 5 years and after age 65 years to receive your second dose. Adults 65 years and older should discuss receiving Prevnar with their healthcare provider. If you’ve already received a dose of Prevnar before age 65 years, another dose of Prevnar is not recommended. You might need either Pneumovax or Prevnar or both before age 65 years if you are a smoker or if you have a long-term health condition such as diabetes, asthma or heart, lung, or kidney disease. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you need one or both of these vaccines. |