VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many vaccine information statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

Pneumococcal Conjugate 

Vaccine: What You Need to Know

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:

 Ear infections

 Sinus infections

 Meningitis (infection of the tissue covering the 

brain and spinal cord)

 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 age 

and medical status. Your health care provider can 

help you determine which type of pneumococcal 

conjugate vaccine, and how many doses, you should 

receive.

Infants and young children usually need 4 doses of 

pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. These doses are 

recommended at 2, 4, 6, and 12–15 months of age.

Older children and adolescents might need 

pneumococcal conjugate vaccine depending on their 

age and medical conditions or other risk factors 

if they did not receive the recommended doses as 

infants or young children.

Adults 19 through 64 years old with certain medical 

conditions or other risk factors who have not already 

received pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should 

receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Adults 65 years or older who have not previously 

received pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should 

receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Some people with certain medical conditions 

are also recommended to receive pneumococcal 

polysaccharide vaccine (a different type of 

pneumococcal vaccine, known as PPSV23). Some 

adults who have previously received a pneumococcal 

conjugate vaccine may be recommended to receive 

another pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
OFFICE 

USE 

ONLY

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

5/12/2023

Vaccine Information Statement (Interim)

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

3. Talk with your health care 

provider

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 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, lifethreatening 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

 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 a pneumococcal conjugate 

vaccine 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 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff 

members do not give medical advice.

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 www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation or 

call 1-800-338-2382 to learn about the program and 

about filing a claim.

7. How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 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):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

-Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.