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Why Is There Still a Risk of IPD?

Certain strains of pneumococcal bacteria are becoming more common. These can cause serious invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), including bacterial meningitis, which can be a very serious illness in young children. In fact, these strains lead to the majority of IPD seen today. Meningitis can cause deafness and brain damage.

So even children who have been fully vaccinated with four doses of Prevnar^® (Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM₁₉₇ Protein]), may not be covered against the most common strains seen today.

Infections caused by pneumococcus can be treated with antibiotics, but you may have heard about antibiotic resistance and how inappropriate or widespread use of antibiotics has caused them to be ineffective at times. This is of particular concern in patients with IPD, beacuse some strains of pneumococcus have shown growing resistance to several different commonly used antibiotics.

Is my child at risk?
If you answer "yes" to at least one of the 7 questions in the Risk Factors Survey, your child may be at increased risk for IPD. Download this Risk Factors Survey to take to your doctor.

Learn more: What Can Happen if My Child is Not Vaccinated?

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^®