Prevenar 20 (Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine (20-Valent, Adsorbed))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Prevenar 20 Used For?
Prevenar 20 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 20 protects against 20 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 and temporary hearing loss).
How It Works
The vaccine contains the outer sugar coating from 20 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 20
Prevenar 20 is given as an injection by a doctor or nurse. The vaccine is injected into a muscle in your upper arm or thigh.
Dosage Instructions
Adults (18 years and older): One single 0.5 mL dose. Babies and young children up to 5 years: 3-4 doses depending on age when first dose is given, with at least 4 weeks between doses, starting at 6 weeks to 2 months of age. Children 6-17 years: One single dose. Premature infants: Three initial injections starting at 6 weeks of age with at least one month between doses, plus a fourth booster injection at approximately 12 months of age.
Multiple Vaccines
Other vaccines may be given at the same time as Prevenar 20, but they will be given at different injection sites.
Important: It’s important to follow the complete vaccination schedule recommended by your doctor to ensure full protection.
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 reaction around injection site (tenderness, pain, redness, swelling, hard lumps)
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Fever or chills
- Joint or muscle pain
- Irritability or crying (in children)
- Sleep disturbances
- Decreased appetite
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Skin rash
- 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, breathing difficulties)
- Severe allergic reaction (rapid shallow breathing, cold clammy skin, weak pulse, dizziness, weakness, fainting)
- Temperature higher than 39°C in babies or young children
- Seizures or convulsions with high fever
- Child becomes pale, limp and unresponsive
Important Warnings
Before receiving Prevenar 20, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider about your medical history and current health status.
Who Should Not Take Prevenar 20
Do not receive Prevenar 20 if you have ever had an allergic reaction to pneumococcal or diphtheria vaccines, or any of the ingredients in this vaccine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: a fever or infection requiring medical attention, are receiving anti-cancer therapy, have HIV infection or any condition affecting immune response, have any bleeding problems, or if your child was born prematurely (higher risk of temporary breathing problems).
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 apnoea (temporarily stopping breathing) when vaccines are given to babies born prematurely.
Drug Interactions
Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines and vaccines you are taking or have recently received.
- Any prescription medicines
- Over-the-counter medicines from pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop
- Vitamins or supplements
- Any other vaccines recently received
Alcohol & Driving
Prevenar 20 has no or minimal effect on your ability to drive or use machinery, but some side effects may affect these activities.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol restrictions are mentioned for this vaccine.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Prevenar 20 affects you. While the vaccine itself doesn’t impair driving ability, side effects like fatigue, muscle pain, or headache may influence your ability to drive safely.
Storage
You are unlikely to be asked to store Prevenar 20 yourself. If you need to store it: Keep in refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C where children cannot reach it. Do not freeze – if frozen, the vaccine should not be used. Keep in original packaging until time of use.
Overdose Information
Since Prevenar 20 is given by a trained doctor or nurse, an overdose is unlikely to occur. The vaccine is given as a single measured dose.
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, but it takes time for full immunity to develop.
Yes, other vaccines may be given at the same time as Prevenar 20, but they will be administered at different injection sites. Always tell your healthcare provider about any recent vaccinations.
Yes, Prevenar 20 is approved for use in children from 6 weeks of age. The dosing schedule varies based on the child’s age, with babies typically receiving 3-4 doses and older children receiving one dose.
Most side effects are mild and temporary. Contact your doctor if side effects worry you. Seek immediate medical attention for serious reactions like severe allergic reactions, high fever in babies, seizures, or if a child becomes pale and unresponsive.
Tell your doctor if you have HIV, are receiving anti-cancer therapy, or have any condition affecting your immune response. The vaccine may not be as effective in people with weakened immune systems, but your doctor will determine if vaccination is appropriate.
No vaccine provides 100% protection. Prevenar 20 protects against 20 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, but it doesn’t replace the need for other vaccines that protect against different causes of meningitis.
Tell your doctor if you have a fever or infection requiring medical attention. Your doctor will decide whether to proceed with vaccination or postpone it until you’re feeling better.
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.