All children younger than 2 years old and those 2 and older with certain health problems should get the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV).

This vaccine protects children against the seven strains of pneumococcal bacteria that are most common in the United States. Pneumococcal infections cause a number of serious diseases in children, including:

• Pneumonia, a lung infection
• Bacteremia, a bloodstream infection
• Meningitis, a brain infection that can lead to brain damage, hearing loss and death

The pneumococcal vaccine also helps prevent ear infections caused by pneumcoccal bacteria. Ear infections are the most common ailment in babies and young children.

When should my child get the vaccine?
The recommended vaccination schedule is:

• First shot at 2 months of age
• Second shot at 4 months of age
• Third shot at 6 months of age
• Fourth shot at 12 to 15 months of age

Does an older child need to be vaccinated?
Children older than 2 years should be vaccinated if they have chronic conditions that raise their risk for pneumococcal diseases. This includes those who have:

• Diabetes
• HIV
• A damaged or missing spleen
• A weak immune system
• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Sickle cell disease
• Lung disease (not including asthma)
• Kidney or liver disease

A healthy child who is younger than 5 years and did not get the vaccine series may need catch-up vaccinations. Children who get the vaccine later may not need as many doses. For the best schedule, check with your doctor or health clinic.

Healthy children older than 5 years may not need the pneumococcal vaccine.

How safe is the vaccine?
The pneumococcal vaccine has been widely tested, and it is considered to be very safe.

Some children have pain and swelling at the site of the shot or a mild fever. Though no serious side effects have been reported for this vaccine, there is always a small chance of severe allergic reaction or other serious problem with any vaccine or medicine.

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External Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccines and preventable diseases: PCV7 (pneumococcal conjugate) vaccine. Accessed July 10, 2008. American Academy of Pediatrics. Pneumococcal disease. Accessed July 10, 2008. Immunization Action Coalition. Pneumococcal vaccine questions and answers. Accessed July 10, 2008. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for use of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in children aged 24 to 59 months who are not completely vaccinated. MMWR Weekly. 2008;57(13):343-344. Accessed July 10, 2008.

This article was reviewed and updated 08-01-2009.