Home > What Is Prevnar 13^®? > Provide Coverage Against 6 More Strains

Help Provide Coverage Against 6 More Strains^*

As a parent, you want to protect your young child from everything you can. You may have heard of invasive pneumococcal (pronounced NEU-mo-KOK-al) disease (IPD) — a disease that can cause serious health problems.

What is IPD and how serious is it?
IPD is a name for different infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria. The infections caused by these strains of bacteria include meningitis, an infection of the area surrounding the brain and spinal cord. IPD can be a very serious illness in young children and can even be fatal.

Is my child at risk for IPD?
Infections caused by certain strains are more common now. Unfortunately, all children under 5 are still at risk, especially those who attend day care.

What can you do?
Prevnar 13^® is a vaccine from Pfizer. It helps protect against the 7 strains of pneumococcal bacteria included in Prevnar^® (Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM₁₉₇ Protein]) plus 6 additional strains. The additional strains are more commonly seen now. Thanks to Prevnar 13^®, you and your child’s doctor can work together to help protect your young child against these strains of pneumococcal bacteria.

^*Compared to Prevnar^®

Learn more: The Vaccination Schedule for Prevnar 13^®

INDICATIONS FOR PREVNAR 13^®

• Prevnar 13^® is a vaccine approved for use in children 6 weeks through 5 years for prevention of invasive disease (caused by the 13 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae included in the vaccine) and ear infections (caused by 7 of the 13 strains)
• Based upon immune responses to the vaccine, Prevnar 13^® is also approved for adults 50 years and older for the prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive disease caused by the 13 vaccine strains
• Prevnar 13^® is not 100% effective and will only help protect against the 13 strains included in the vaccine
• Effectiveness when given less than 5 years after a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is not known

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

• Prevnar 13^® should not be given to anyone with a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of Prevnar 13^® or any diphtheria toxoid–containing vaccine
• Children and adults with weakened immune systems (eg, HIV infection, leukemia) may have a reduced immune response
• A temporary pause of breathing following vaccination has been observed in some infants born prematurely
• The most commonly reported serious adverse events in children were bronchiolitis (an infection of the lungs) (0.9%), gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and small intestine) (0.9%), and pneumonia (0.9%)
• In infants and toddlers, the most common side effects were tenderness, redness or swelling at the injection site, irritability, decreased appetite, decreased or increased sleep, and fever
• In adults, immune responses to Prevnar 13^® were reduced when given with injected seasonal flu vaccine
• In adults, the common side effects were pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, limitation of arm movement, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, decreased appetite, chills, or rash
• Ask your health care provider about the risks and benefits of Prevnar 13^®. Only a health care provider can decide if Prevnar 13^® is right for your child

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Visit www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967.

Please see Prescribing Information for Prevnar 13^®