Prevnar 13 is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that helps protect against 13 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. These bacteria can cause illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, bacteremia, and middle ear infections.
Prevnar 13 can be given starting at 6 weeks of age. For infants, the FDA-approved schedule includes doses at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months of age, while adults receive a single dose when the vaccine is indicated.
Prevnar 13 is FDA-approved in the United States, although it is no longer routinely used in current CDC pneumococcal vaccination schedules. Current recommendations generally use newer pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, including PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21, depending on age, medical conditions, and vaccination history.
What it is used for
Prevnar 13 is used to help prevent infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, including:
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Meningitis;
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Sepsis;
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Pneumonia;
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Otitis media.
The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against 13 different serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. This helps reduce the risk of diseases caused by those serotypes.
Prevnar 13 also helps reduce the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease, in which the bacteria spread to normally sterile parts of the body, such as the bloodstream.
When to get the vaccine
The FDA-approved Prevnar 13 vaccination schedule for babies, children, and adults is:
Prevnar 13 is given as an intramuscular injection. In infants and young children, it is generally injected into the anterolateral thigh, while older children, adolescents, and adults usually receive the injection in the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.
People at increased risk of pneumococcal disease, including those with sickle cell disease or HIV infection, may need pneumococcal vaccination based on their age, medical condition, and previous vaccination history. Current CDC recommendations generally use PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21 rather than Prevnar 13 for these situations.
Possible side effects
Common side effects associated with Prevnar 13 may include decreased appetite, irritability, drowsiness, restless sleep, fever, and redness, swelling, hardness, pain, or tenderness at the injection site.
Who should not get it
Prevnar 13 should not be given to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of Prevnar 13, one of its ingredients, or a vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid.
Vaccination may need to be postponed in people who have a moderate or severe acute illness, including an illness with fever.