Generic Name: pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine (pediatric only) (NOO moe KOK al KON joo gate)
Brand Names: Prevnar
What is pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine?
Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection caused by a bacteria. Pneumococcal bacteria can infect the sinuses and inner ear. It can also infect the lungs, blood, and brain, and these conditions can be fatal.
Pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine contains 7 different types of pneumococcal bacteria.
This vaccine works by exposing your child to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. Pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
Pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine is for use only in children between the ages of 6 weeks and 10 years old.
Becoming infected with pneumococcal disease (such as pneumonia or meningitis) is much more dangerous to your child's health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects. The risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Like any vaccine, pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.
What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine?
The pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. The booster shots are then given at 4 months, 6 months, and 12 to 15 months of age.
In a child older than 6 months who has not yet received a pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine, the first dose can be given any time from the age of 7 months through 9 years (before the 10th birthday).
If the child is less than 1 year old at the time of the first shot, he or she will need 2 booster doses. If the child is 12 to 23 months old at the time of the first shot, he or she will need 1 booster dose. A child who is 2 years or older at the time of the first shot may need only the one shot and no booster doses.
The timing of this vaccination is very important for it to be effective. Your child's individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in. Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When the child receives a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects.
Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.
Becoming infected with pneumococcal disease (such as pneumonia or meningitis) is much more dangerous to your child's health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects. The risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Be sure to keep your child on a regular schedule for other immunizations against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, hepatitis, or varicella (chicken pox). Your doctor or state health department can provide you with a recommended immunization schedule.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine?
Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When the child receives a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects. Your child should not receive this vaccine if he or she has ever had a severe allergic reaction to a pneumococcal or diphtheria vaccine.
To make sure your child can safely receive this vaccine, tell your doctor if your child has any of these other conditions:
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising;
a history of seizures;
a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or
if the child is taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).
Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.
How is this vaccine given?
This vaccine is injected into a muscle. Your child will receive this injection in a doctor's office or clinic setting.
The pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. The booster shots are then given at 4 months, 6 months, and 12 to 15 months of age.
The first injection should be given no earlier than 6 weeks of age. Allow at least 2 months to pass between injections.
If your child is already 6 months or older, he or she can still receive this vaccine on the following schedule:
Age 7-11 months: two injections at least 4 weeks apart, followed by a third injection after the child turns 1 year (at least 2 months after the second injection);
Age 12-23 months: two injections at least 2 months apart;
Age 2 months to 9 years (before the 10th birthday): one injection.
The timing of this vaccination is very important for it to be effective. Your child's individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.
A child who is between the ages of 24 months and 5 years old may need 1 or 2 additional doses of this vaccine if the child did not receive all recommended doses on a prior schedule, or if the child has certain medical conditions or a weak immune system.
Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much of this medicine to give your child.
It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring in a child who has a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.
Be sure to keep your child on a regular schedule for other immunizations such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis, and varicella (chicken pox). Your doctor or state health department can provide you with a recommended immunization schedule.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if your child will miss a booster dose or gets behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.
Be sure your child receives all recommended doses of this vaccine. If your child does not receive the full series of vaccines, he or she may not be fully protected against the disease.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.
What should I avoid before or after receiving this vaccine?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
This vaccine side effects
Your child should not receive a booster vaccine if he or she had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot. Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When the child receives a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects. Get emergency medical help if your child has any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you or your child has a serious side effect such as:
high fever (103 degrees or higher);
seizure (convulsions);
wheezing, trouble breathing;
easy bruising or bleeding; or
severe pain, itching, irritation, or skin changes where the shot was given.
Less serious side effects may include:
mild redness, swelling, tenderness, or a hard lump where the shot was given;
weakness, tired feeling;
crying, fussiness;
drowsiness, restless sleep;
low fever (102 degrees or less);
vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite; or
mild skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.
Pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine Dosing Information
Usual Pediatric Dose for Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis:
Conjugate Vaccine (PCV 7): The vaccine can be administered to children at least 6 weeks old. However, vaccination typically begins at 2 months of age.
2 months to 6 months: 0.5 mL IM given every 8 weeks for 3 doses followed by a fourth dose at 12 to 15 months.
7 months to 12 months: 0.5 mL IM at least 4 weeks apart for 2 doses followed by a third dose after 1 year of age separated from the second dose by 8 weeks.
Patients that previously received 1 or 2 doses of conjugate vaccine but have not finished the course should receive 0.5 mL IM followed by another dose at least 8 weeks later at 12 to 15 months of age.
1 year to 2 years: 0.5 mL IM at least 8 weeks apart.
Patients that previously received 1 dose before 12 months of age but have not completed the vaccination schedule should receive 0.5 mL followed by a second dose at least 8 weeks later. Patients that have previously received 2 doses prior to 12 months of age should receive 0.5 mL at least 8 weeks after the most recent dose.
2 years to 5 years: 0.5 mL as a single dose. Any patient that had previously started the vaccination and lapsed should receive 0.5 mL as a single dose. Patients with chronic diseases or immunosuppressive conditions should receive two 0.5 mL doses at least 8 weeks apart.
Children with sickle cell, asplenia, HIV infection, immunocompromised, or chronic illness:
0.5 mL IM in two doses at least 8 weeks apart.
Polysaccharide Vaccine:
2 years: 0.5 mL IM or subcutaneously.
Previously vaccinated with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine:
Immunocompromised patients, patients with sickle cell anemia, aplasia, or HIV:
0.5 mL IM or subcutaneously. Revaccination should be given after more than 5 years. Revaccination should not be given after less than 3 years.
Patients with chronic illness: 0.5 mL IM or subcutaneously. Revaccination is not recommended.
Following bone marrow transplant: 0.5 mL IM or subcutaneously at 12 and 24 months following transplantation.
What other drugs will affect this vaccine?
Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor about all other vaccines your child has recently received.
Also tell the doctor if your child has recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:
an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine;
chemotherapy or radiation;
medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders, such as azathioprine (Imuran), etanercept (Enbrel), leflunomide (Arava), and others; or
medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection, such as basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf).
If your child is using any of these medications, he or she may not be able to receive the vaccine, or may need to wait until the other treatments are finished.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine resources
- Pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine Drug Interactions
- Pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine - Add your own review/rating
Compare pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine with other medications
- Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis
Where can I get more information?
- Your doctor or pharmacist may have additional information about pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine. You may also find additional information from your local health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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