Prevnar was developed specifically for infants and toddlers. It protects against the seven most common strains of pneumococcus that cause 80 percent of all pneumococcal disese in children under six years of age. Since most serious pneumococcal infections strike children during their first two years of life, the vaccine will protect them when they're at greatest risk. These strains are also among the most resistant to antibiotics. Several clinical trials, including a double-blind clinical study involving more than 38,000 children, showed the vaccine was 100 percent effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease.
Studies show the new vaccine also reduces the incidence of ear infections by about seven percent.
In children with chronic ear infections, it also decreases the rate of recurrent ear infections by about 23 percent. For previously unvaccinated older infants and children, the dosing schedule will vary. Researchers say all children under two years of age should get the vaccine. Doctors also recommend the use of Prevnar in older children aged 24 to 59 months who are African American, Alaska native, or of American Indian descent, and children in group daycare. In clinical trials, Prevnar showed only mild side effects similar to those for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertusis vaccine.