Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13)
The disease
Streptococcus pneumonia is one of the most common causes of bacterial infection in children. It is responsible for highly infectious diseases like meningitis, pneumonia and blood infections. It can cause death and disability. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is a great option for prevention.
The vaccine
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is given four times in the first two years of life. The PCV13 vaccine is up to 85 to 95 percent effective against severe bacterial disease caused by Strep pneumonia.
Side effects
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can have some side effects. These include:
- Allergies to any component of the vaccine
- Soreness, redness, discomfort at site of injection
- Fever, decreased appetite, sleepiness, fussiness
