Pneumococcal Vaccination

Español (Spanish) | Print
Related Pages
Two older adult women entertain a baby girl

Vaccines are the best way to prevent pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease is common in young children, but older adults are at greatest risk of serious illness and death. 

Two kinds of pneumococcal vaccines are used in the United States help protect against pneumococcal disease:

  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13, PCV15, or PCV20)
  • Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)

These vaccines protect against many, but not all types of pneumococcal bacteria. Also, the protection from these vaccines is good but not perfect (or 100%). For these two reasons, there is still a chance someone can develop pneumococcal disease after vaccination.

CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccines for people at increased risk

Children

All children younger than 5 years old should receive PCV13 or PCV15.

Children 5 through 18 years old with certain medical conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease should receive PCV13 or PCV15.

Children 2 through 18 years old with certain medical conditions should also receive PPSV23.

Adults

Adults who have never received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive PCV15 or PCV20 if they

  • Are 65 years and older
  • Are 19 through 64 years old and have certain medical conditions or other risk factors

If PCV15 is used, it should be followed by a dose of PPSV23.

Adults who received an earlier pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13 or PCV7) should talk with a vaccine provider to learn about available options to complete their pneumococcal vaccine series.

Adults 65 years or older have the option to get PCV20 if they have already received

  • PCV13 (but not PCV15 or PCV20) at any age

and

  • PPSV23 at or after the age of 65 years old

These adults can talk with their doctor and decide, together, whether to get PCV20.

Some people may need more than one dose of pneumococcal vaccines. Talk with your or your child’s doctor about what is best for your specific situation.

Pneumococcal vaccines are safe but side effects can occur

Most people who get a pneumococcal vaccine do not have any serious problems with it. However, side effects can occur. Most side effects are mild, meaning they do not affect daily activities.

Mild problems following PCV13, PCV15, or PCV20 can include:

  • Reactions where the shot was given
    • Redness
    • Swelling
    • Pain or tenderness
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fussiness (irritability)
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches or joint pain
  • Chills

Mild problems following PPSV23 can include:

  • Reactions where the shot was given
    • Redness
    • Pain
  • Feeling tired
  • Fever
  • Muscle aches

If these problems occur, they usually go away within about 2 days.

Related resources