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Pneumonia (Pneumococcal)

Pneumococcal disease is caused by a type of bacteria called pneumococcus. The bacteria spreads through drops in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes.source: 1 Some people get the germs that cause the disease but don't get sick. Although they might not have symptoms, they can still spread the disease to others.source: 2 Common types of pneumococcal disease in children include ear and sinus infections. Pneumococcal disease can also cause serious infections, like pneumonia, meningitis, bacteremia, and sepsis. These infections can be fatal. Others may have long-term health problems, such as brain damage or hearing loss.source: 3,source: 4

Pneumococcal pneumonia, one of the diseases caused by pneumococcus, causes around 150,000 hospitalizations every year in the United States.source: 5 The good news is that pneumococcal vaccines can help prevent the disease. There are two kinds of vaccines that can prevent pneumococcal disease in kids.source: 6 (1) The pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV15 and PCV20) and (2) the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23).

Why does my child need to be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease?

Pneumococcal disease is contagious, meaning it can spread from person to person. It can lead to serious health problems in different areas of the body, including the lungs, lining of the brain and spinal cord, and blood.source: 4

Babies and children younger than 5 years old are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease compared to people in other age groups. Children with certain underlying medical conditions are also at higher risk.source: 2

How safe are the vaccines?

Pneumococcal vaccines have been administered and closely monitored for many years. Research and safety monitoring show these vaccines are safe.source: 7

Like any medicine, there's a small chance that the pneumococcal vaccines could cause serious reactions. However, getting a pneumococcal vaccine is much safer than getting pneumococcal disease.

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VPD Pneumonia-girl on her father's shoulders

How effective are the vaccines?

There are several pneumococcal vaccines that protect against pneumococcal disease. Studies of the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that became available in 2000 (PCV7) showed that the vaccine protected more than 9 in 10 babies against serious pneumococcal disease.source: 5,source: 8

What are the vaccines’ side effects?

Most kids don't have side effects from the vaccines. In the case a child does have a side effect, it's usually mild and goes away in a few days. Side effects of the pneumococcal vaccines in kids may include redness or swelling where the vaccine was given, feeling tired, not wanting to eat, mild fever, and fussing.source: 8

Young kids can safely get a pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine. However, rarely, giving a pneumococcal vaccine with certain other vaccines causes fever that can in turn cause a seizure.source: 9 This is also called a febrile seizure. A febrile seizure can be scary but is usually harmless. When a child has this type of seizure, their fever is usually 102°F or higher. Children can have a febrile seizure from common colds, an ear infection, or the flu. The seizure lasts for less than 1 or 2 minutes, and most children recover quickly.source: 9,source: 10

Understanding the Risks

Getting Pneumococcal Disease vs. Getting Vaccinated

Pneumococcal Disease

Vaccines to prevent Pneumococcal Disease

Common: Mild to Moderate Symptoms or Side Effects

Recovery depends on how severe the infection is, ranging from a couple of days to weeks. Sometimes, children with severe pneumococcal disease could have complications after recovery. Symptoms can include:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Chest pain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Ear pain
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Facial pain or pressure

If side effects occur, they are usually mild and last 1–2 days:

  • Soreness, redness, or swelling where the vaccine was given
  • Fever or chills
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fussiness
  • Headache
  • Muscle or joint ache

Rare: More Serious Symptoms, Complications or Side Effects

Serious Pneumococcal Disease Can Cause:

  • Blood infection
  • Infection of the brain and spinal cord linings (meningitis)
  • Lung infection (pneumonia)
  • Bone and joint infection

Complications for Pneumococcal Disease Can Cause:

  • Hearing loss
  • Amputation of limbs
  • Death
  • Very small risk of seizures caused by fever if a pneumococcal vaccine is given with a flu vaccine

When does my child need the vaccines?

CDC recommends PCV20 or PCV15 for all children younger than age 5 years and for children ages 5–18 years with certain medical conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease.source: 8

There may be certain circumstances in which PPSV23 is recommended for children ages 2–18 years. Your child’s doctor can advise what vaccine is right for your child. PCV20, PCV15, or PPSV23 may be given at the same time as most other childhood vaccines.source: 8,source: 11,source: 12

at ages 2, 4, and 6 months and 12–15 months

Most babies and young kids need 4 doses of PCV20 or PCV15.

Older kids (through age 59 months)

Older kids should get PCV20 or PCV15 if they did not receive the recommended doses when they were younger.

Kids ages 6–18

Kids with certain medical conditions may need to get additional doses of pneumococcal vaccines if they did not get PCV20 before they turned 6 years old.

More information

You can also visit these sites:

Sources

  1. HHS: Pneumococcal
  2. CDC: Pneumococcal Disease: Causes and How It Spreads
  3. CDC: About Pneumococcal Disease
  4. CDC: Pneumococcal Disease Symptoms and Complications
  5. CDC: Pink Book: Pneumococcal Disease
  6. FDA: Vaccines for Children - A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
  7. CDC: Pneumococcal Vaccine Safety
  8. CDC: Pneumococcal Vaccination
  9. CDC: Febrile Seizures and Vaccines
  10. Healthychildren.org: Febrile Seizures in Children
  11. CDC: Multiple Vaccines at Once
  12. CDC: Administering Pneumococcal Vaccines
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