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)

Childhood recommendations

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.

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

Adult recommendations

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.

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.