Prevnar is now recommended for all infants two years of age and under. Children in these categories are at high risk of developing invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae infections. The vaccine also reduces the chances of carrying the bacteria in the nose and throat. Carriers of the bacteria don t always develop an infection but they can spread it to other children who may develop an infection. Another advantage of vaccinating all children with Prevnar is that the incidence of antibiotic resistance to Streptococcus pneumoniae may be reduced.
Resistance makes treatment much more difficult and sometimes ineffective altogether.
About ten percent will have redness at the site of injection. The adverse affects resolve spontaneously. The information provided above is offered as a community service about health-care issues and is not a substitute for individual consultation. Advice on individual problems should be obtained from your personal physician. This information is based on research by the author and represents his interpretation of the literature.