Pneumococcal Vaccination

Vaccines help prevent pneumococcal disease, which is any type of illness caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. There are two kinds of pneumococcal vaccines available in the United States:

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

CDC recommends PCV13 or PCV15 for all children younger than 5 years old and children 5 through 18 years old with certain medical conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease.

CDC also recommends PPSV23 for children 2 through 18 years old with certain medical conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease.

For those who have never received any pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, CDC recommends PCV15 or PCV20 for adults 65 years or older and adults 19 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions or risk factors. If PCV15 is used, this should be followed by a dose of PPSV23.

Talk with your or your child’s doctor if you have questions about pneumococcal vaccines.