1. Why get vaccinated?
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can prevent pneumococcal disease.
Pneumococcal disease refers to any illness caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These bacteria can cause many types of illnesses, including pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs. Pneumococcal bacteria are one of the most common causes of pneumonia.
Besides pneumonia, pneumococcal bacteria can also cause:
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Ear infections
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Sinus infections
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Meningitis (infection of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord)
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Bacteremia (infection of the blood)
Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but children under 2 years old, people with certain medical conditions or other risk factors, and adults 65 years or older are at the highest risk.
Most pneumococcal infections are mild. However, some can result in long-term problems, such as brain damage or hearing loss. Meningitis, bacteremia, and pneumonia caused by pneumococcal disease can be fatal.
2. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine helps protect against bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease. There are three pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13, PCV15, and PCV20). The different vaccines are recommended for different people based on their age and medical status.
PCV13
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Infants and young children usually need 4 doses of PCV13, at ages 2, 4, 6, and 12–15 months.
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Older children (through age 59 months) may be vaccinated with PCV13 if they did not receive the recommended doses.
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Children and adolescents 6–18 years of age with certain medical conditions should receive a single dose of PCV13 if they did not already receive PCV13.
PCV15 or PCV20
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Adults 19 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions or other risk factors who have not already received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive either:
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a single dose of PCV15 followed by a dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), or
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a single dose of PCV20.
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Adults 65 years or older who have not already received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive either:
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a single dose of PCV15 followed by a dose of PPSV23, or
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a single dose of PCV20.
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Your health care provider can give you more information.
3. Talk with your health care provider
Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting the vaccine:
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Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of any type of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13, PCV15, PCV20, or an earlier pneumococcal conjugate vaccine known as PCV7), or to any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid (for example, DTaP), or has any severe, life-threatening allergies
In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone pneumococcal conjugate vaccination until a future visit.
People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover.
Your health care provider can give you more information.
4. Risks of a vaccine reaction
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Redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness where the shot is given, and fever, loss of appetite, fussiness (irritability), feeling tired, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and chills can happen after pneumococcal conjugate vaccination.
Young children may be at increased risk for seizures caused by fever after PCV13 if it is administered at the same time as inactivated influenza vaccine. Ask your health care provider for more information.
People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.
5. What if there is a serious problem?
An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person to the nearest hospital.
For other signs that concern you, call your health care provider.
Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at
6. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines. Claims regarding alleged injury or death due to vaccination have a time limit for filing, which may be as short as two years. Visit the VICP website at
7. How can I learn more?
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Ask your health care provider.
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Call your local or state health department.
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Visit the website of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for vaccine package inserts and additional information at
www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines . -
Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
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Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
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Visit CDC's website at
www.cdc.gov/vaccines .
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Disclaimer
Many vaccine information statements are available in Spanish and other languages. See
Hojas de información sobre vacunas están disponibles en español y en muchos otros idiomas. Visite
Vaccine Information Statement (Interim)
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
02/04/2022
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
