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Vaccine (Shot) for Pneumococcal Disease						Español (Spanish)							Print
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Pneumococcal
How to pronounce pneumococcal: [noo-muh-KOK-uhl]**Four doses of a pneumococcal shot (PCV15 or PCV20)****are recommended** for children by doctors as the best way to protect against pneumococcal disease.When should my child get a pneumococcal shot?
**One dose**at each of the following ages:1st dose icon2 months2nd dose icon4 months3rd dose icon6 months4th dose icon12 – 15 monthsWhy should my child get a pneumococcal shot?
Protects your child from against potentially serious, and even deadly infections cause by pneumococcal disease, like pneumococcal meningitis (infection of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord) and pneumonia (lung infection).
Keeps your child from missing school or child care and you from missing work.Pneumococcal shots are safe.Pneumococcal shots are safe and effective at preventing pneumococcal disease. Vaccines like any medicine, can have side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own.What types of pneumococcal vaccines are there?
All babies and young children should receive a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15 or PCV20). Children with certain conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease may need more pneumococcal vaccines. It depends on which pneumococcal vaccines they already received and when. Talk to your child’s doctor about which vaccines they recommend.
What are the side effects?
Most children don’t have any side effects from the shot. The side effects that do occur are usually mild, and may include:
Fussiness
Feeling tired
Loss of appetite (not want to eat)
Redness, swelling, or soreness where the shot was given
Fever or chills
Headache
Muscle aches or joint pain
**Prepare for your child's vaccine visit** and learn about how you can:
Research vaccines and ready your child before the visit
Comfort your child during the appointment
Care for your child after the shotBefore, During, and After Shots

What is pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcal disease can cause infections of the ears, lungs, blood, and brain.
Pneumococcal disease is an illness caused by bacteria called pneumococcus. It is often mild, but can cause serious symptoms, lifelong disability, or death. Children younger than 2 years old are among those most at risk for the disease.
Treatment with penicillin and other drugs is not as effective as it used to be, because some strains of the disease have become resistant to these drugs. This makes prevention of the disease, through vaccination, even more important.
What are the symptoms?There are many types of pneumococcal disease. Symptoms depend on the part of the body it affects.illustration of lungs
Pneumococcal **pneumonia** (lung infection) causes:
Fever or chills
Cough
Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
Chest pain
illustration of a brain
Pneumococcal **meningitis** (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) causes:
Stiff neck or headache
High fever
Increased sensitivity to light
ConfusionIn babies, meningitis may cause poor eating and drinking, low alertness, or vomiting.
Illustration of an ear.
Pneumococcal disease causes up to half of middle ear infections (otitis media). Symptoms are ear pain; a red, swollen ear drum; or sometimes, fever or sleepiness.
illustration of a brain
Blood infection (bacteremia and sepsis) from pneumococcal disease can cause fever, chills, or low alertness.Is it serious?
Pneumococcal disease ranges from mild to very dangerous. About 2,000 cases of serious disease (bacteremia, pneumonia with bacteremia, and meningitis) occur each year in children under 5 years old in the United States. These illnesses can lead to disabilities like deafness, brain damage, or loss of arms or legs. About 1 out of 12 children who get pneumococcal meningitis dies.
How is it spread?
Pneumococcal disease spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Some children may not even feel sick, but they could have the bacteria in their noses and throats. These children can still spread pneumococcal disease.
Do children in the United States still get pneumococcal disease?
Yes. Each year in the United States, pneumococcal disease causes thousands of cases of pneumonia and ear infections. Without vaccines, there would be many more cases. Among children, those younger than 2 years old are most likely to have a serious case of pneumococcal disease.
Follow the vaccine schedule
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend children receive all vaccines according to the recommended vaccine schedule.
Get a list of vaccines that your child may need based on age, health conditions, and other factors.
Learn the reasons you should follow the vaccine schedule.Birth - 6 years schedule
Photos of the DiseaseWARNING: Some of these photos might be unsuitable for children. Viewing discretion is advised.Pneumococcal iconLearn More About This Disease
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							Last Reviewed:  September 15, 2022						Source: 	National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
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