Pneumococcal

Vaccine Basics

There are currently two types of pneumococcal vaccines: pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV). 

PCV13

For Infants and Young Children

There are more than 90 types of pneumococcal bacteria. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) protects against 13 of them. These bacteria types are responsible for most severe pneumococcal infections among children.

PCV13 is recommended as a series of four doses, one dose at each of these ages:

• 2 months
• 4 months
• 6 months and
• 12 through 15 months

Children who miss their shots at these ages should still get the vaccine. The number of doses and the intervals between doses will depend on the child’s age. Ask your health care provider for details.

Read the CDC’s Who Needs to be Vaccinated Page or ask your health care provider if your child should receive PCV13, PPSV, or both. 

PPSV

For Children, Pre-Teens, Teens, and Adults

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria, including those most likely to cause serious disease.

Most healthy adults who get the vaccine develop protection to most or all of these types within two to three weeks of getting the shot. Very old people, children under two years of age, and people with some long-term illnesses might not respond as well, or at all.  

One dose of PPSV is recommended for:

• All adults 65 years of age and older
• Anyone two through 64 years of age who has a long- term health problem such as: heart disease, lung disease, sickle cell disease diabetes alcoholism cirrhosis leaks of cerebrospinal fluid or cochlear implant
• Anyone two through 64 years of age who has a disease or condition that lowers the body’s resistance to infection, such as: Hodgkin’s disease, lymphoma or leukemia, kidney failure, multiple myeloma, nephrotic syndrome, HIV infection or AIDS, damaged spleen, or no spleen, organ transplant
• Anyone two through 64 years of age who is taking a drug or treatment that lowers the body’s resistance of infection, such as: long-term steroids, certain cancer drugs, radiation therapy
• Any adult 19 through 64 years of age who is a smoker or has asthma
• Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities

People with certain chronic health conditions may be recommended to receive a second dose, five years after their first dose.  Ask your health care provider for details.