Prevenar 13 (Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine (13-Valent, Adsorbed))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Prevenar 13 Used For?
Prevenar 13 is a vaccine that helps protect you and your family from serious infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. It works by preparing your body’s immune system to fight these infections before you’re exposed to them.
Primary Uses
Prevenar 13 protects against 13 different strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that can cause: meningitis (serious brain infection that could cause death or brain damage), bacteraemia (blood infection), pneumonia (lung infection), and otitis media (ear infection that can cause pain, temporary hearing loss, and may require surgery).
How It Works
The vaccine contains the outer sugar coating from 13 different strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, each joined to a non-toxic protein to make it work more effectively. This prepares your body’s defenses to fight the infection before you catch the bacteria.
Good to know: You cannot catch any of these diseases from the vaccine itself because it’s not made with live or whole bacteria.
How to Take Prevenar 13
Prevenar 13 is given as an injection by a doctor or nurse. The vaccine is injected into a muscle in your thigh or upper arm.
Dosage Instructions
The dose is 0.5 mL for all ages. Children 6-17 years and adults 18 years and older receive one single dose. Babies and young children up to 5 years receive multiple doses based on their age – typically 3 or 4 doses at least 4 weeks apart, starting at 6 weeks to 2 months of age. Premature infants receive 3 initial injections with at least one month between doses, plus a booster at approximately 12 months of age.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you or your child miss a scheduled dose, contact your doctor or clinic to reschedule. It’s important to complete the full course of injections as recommended by your healthcare provider.
Important: Other vaccines might be given at the same time, but not at the same injection site.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Local reactions at injection site (tenderness, pain, redness, swelling, hard lumps or scars)
- Fatigue
- Fever or chills
- Headache
- Joint or muscle pain
- Irritability and crying (in children)
- Disturbed sleep or sleepiness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Swelling of glands in neck, armpit, or groin
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, shortness of breath)
- Severe allergic reaction (rapid shallow breathing, cold clammy skin, weak pulse, dizziness, fainting)
- Temperature higher than 39°C in babies or young children
- Seizure or convulsion (may include high fever, uncontrollable shaking, loss of muscle control, drooling, mood changes)
- Temporary interruptions of breathing (especially in premature babies)
- Child becomes pale, limp and unresponsive
Important Warnings
Before receiving Prevenar 13, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider about your medical history and current health status.
Who Should Not Take Prevenar 13
You should not receive Prevenar 13 if you or your child have ever had an allergic reaction to pneumococcal or diphtheria vaccines, or any of the ingredients in the vaccine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you or your child: have a fever or infection requiring medical attention, are having anti-cancer therapy or have HIV infection or any condition affecting immune response, have bleeding problems, were born prematurely (for children being vaccinated), have had breathing interruptions after previous vaccinations, or have any other medical conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before receiving this vaccine.
Premature Babies: There is a higher risk of temporary breathing interruptions (apnoea) when vaccines are given to babies born prematurely.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor or nurse about all medicines and vaccines you or your child are taking or have recently received.
- Any other medicines (prescription or over-the-counter)
- Vitamins or supplements
- Other vaccines recently received
Alcohol & Driving
Prevenar 13 has minimal effect on your ability to drive and use machines, but some side effects may temporarily affect these abilities.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned for this vaccine.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Prevenar 13 affects you. Some reported side effects may temporarily affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Storage
It’s unlikely you’ll be asked to store Prevenar 13. If you need to store it, keep it in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C where children cannot reach it. Do not freeze the vaccine – if it has been frozen, it should not be used. Keep it in the original packaging until it’s time to be given.
Overdose Information
Since Prevenar 13 is given by a trained doctor or nurse, an overdose is unlikely to occur. The vaccine is carefully measured and administered by healthcare professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The vaccine works by preparing your body’s immune system to fight pneumococcal infections. Your body will start developing protection after vaccination, though the source doesn’t specify exact timing.
Yes, other vaccines can be given at the same time as Prevenar 13, but they must be given at different injection sites.
Prevenar 13 can be given to premature babies, but there’s a higher risk of temporary breathing interruptions (apnoea). Your doctor will monitor for this and may recommend starting as early as 6 weeks of age.
Fever is a common side effect. However, if your baby or young child develops a temperature higher than 39°C, you should call your doctor straight away as this is considered a serious side effect.
Tell your doctor if you have HIV infection, are receiving anti-cancer therapy, or have any condition that affects your immune response. Prevenar 13 may not be as effective in people with reduced immune responses, but your doctor will advise if it’s appropriate for you.
Prevenar 13 protects against 13 specific strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. As with all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed, and it doesn’t protect against other causes of similar infections.
Call your doctor straight away or go to the Emergency Department if you notice allergic reactions such as rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, shortness of breath, or signs of severe reaction like rapid shallow breathing, dizziness, or fainting.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.