Pneumococcal Vaccine for Children

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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The pneumococcal vaccine is given as a shot to protect your child from pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease develops from an infection caused by pneumococcal bacteria. The infection may cause pneumonia or an ear infection. Pneumococcal disease is spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing. The vaccine comes in 2 forms, called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV). Your child's healthcare provider will tell you which form is right for your child. The pneumococcal vaccine is often given with polio, hepatitis B, DTaP, and Hib vaccines. Your child may need these or other childhood vaccines at certain ages.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• Your child's mouth and throat are swollen.
• Your child is wheezing or has trouble breathing.
• Your child has chest pain or his or her heart is beating faster than usual.
• Your child faints.

Return to the emergency department if:

• Your child's face is red or swollen.
• Your child has hives that spread over his or her body.
• Your child feels weak or dizzy.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• measles virus vaccine/mumps virus vaccine/rubella virus vaccine/varicella virus vaccine
• ProQuad
• Rotarix
• RotaTeq
• rotavirus vaccine

Call your child's doctor if:

• Your child has increased pain, redness, or swelling around the area where the shot was given.
• You have questions or concerns about the pneumococcal vaccine.

Apply a warm compress

to the injection area as directed to decrease pain and swelling.

Follow up with your child's doctor as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your child's visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

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