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HomeHealth TopicVaccines

Prevnar 13 Overview: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, and More

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBSAmy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS
Updated on March 1, 2022

Key takeaways:

  • Prevnar 13 (PCV13) protects against sickness caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus. 

  • Prevnar 13 was developed for infants and children. The CDC recommends that infants and children younger than 2 years of age get Prevnar 13, but some adults should get it too. 

  • Studies show that at least one dose of Prevnar 13 protects more than  80% of babies from serious pneumococcal infections.

Little baby girl sitting on the exam table at the doctor's waiting to get a shot. We see her back and the doctor's hand with the syringe in focus.
vgajic/E+ via Getty Images

Prevnar 13 (PCV13) is a common vaccine for most U.S. newborns. In fact, it’s among the first few vaccines that most children receive in their lifetime. This widespread use is for good reason — it helps prevent sickness caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. This is often simply called “pneumococcus.” 

Every year in the U.S., pneumococcal bacteria cause thousands of potentially deadly infections. This includes illnesses like pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. Fortunately, we have a few tools to help protect against these serious conditions. Prevnar 13 is one of these tools. 

Here, we’ll talk about Prevnar 13 — what it is, how effective it is, and side effects to be aware of.

What is Prevnar 13 and who should get it?

As mentioned, Prevnar 13 is a vaccine that helps protect against sickness caused by pneumococcal bacteria. It’s considered to be a conjugate vaccine, so it’s often abbreviated to PCV13. 

Specifically, it helps protect against 13 types of the bacteria — this is where the number in the vaccine’s brand name comes from. These are the 13 pneumococcal bacteria strains that are most likely to cause serious health problems. 

By protecting against these bacteria, the vaccine helps prevent many illnesses. These include:

  • Pneumonia: This is a lung infection. It’s usually caused by viruses or bacteria. 

  • Meningitis: This is an infection that affects the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by many things, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. 

  • Bloodstream infections: Also called bacteremia, this is a condition in which bacteria enters your bloodstream. Left untreated, this can be very dangerous and affect multiple parts of your body. 

  • Sinus infections: Chances are you’ve had a sinus infection at some point in your life. They’re usually caused by viruses, but occasionally they’re caused by bacteria like pneumococcus.  

  • Ear infections: Like sinus infections, many ear infections are caused by viruses. But some are also caused by bacteria like pneumococcus. 

Because of these risks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that most people should get Prevnar 13 at some point in their life. 

Specifically, they recommend that all infants and toddlers younger than 2 years of age get four doses of Prevnar 13. This is because children younger than 2 years old have an especially high risk of getting sick from the bacteria. 

Certain people older than 2 years of age are also recommended to get this vaccine. This is because some people also have a higher risk of pneumococcus-related complications, similar to children under 2 years of age. 

So, you may want to consider the vaccine if you or your child — older than 2 years of age — meet any of the following criteria:

  • Younger than 5 years old and haven’t finished the initial Prevnar 13 series 

  • Between the ages of 6 and 18 years if you have certain medical conditions and haven’t received any doses of Prevnar 13 

  • 65 years or older and haven’t already received the vaccine

  • You have a weakened immune system

  • You have a cochlear implant 

  • You have leaky cerebrospinal fluid

And remember: Before making any decisions to get the vaccine, it’s important to check with your healthcare provider to see if it’s appropriate or necessary for you to get this vaccine. 

How effective is Prevnar 13?

According to the CDC, studies show that at least one dose of Prevnar 13 protects the following groups of people:

  • More than 80% of babies from serious pneumococcal infections

  • About 75% of adults age 65 and older from invasive pneumococcal disease (pneumococcal infection that occurs somewhere other than the lungs, such as in the brain, the blood, joints, or the ear)

  • About 45% of adults age 65 and older from pneumococcal pneumonia

How is the Prevnar 13 vaccine administered?

Prevnar 13 is administered intramuscularly (IM). This means the shot is injected into a muscle. For infants, it may be injected into the thigh. For older children and adults, it’s usually given into the outer part of the upper arm.   

For infants and toddlers, Prevnar 13 ideally involves a series of four doses of the vaccine given at the ages of:

  • First dose: 2 months

  • Second dose: 4 months

  • Third dose: 6 months

  • Fourth dose: Between 12 and 15 months of age

According to CDC guidelines, for people older than 2 years, the number of doses you should receive is variable. If you aren’t sure if you or your child need Prevnar 13, speak to a healthcare provider for guidance. They can look at your medical history and vaccination records to help you make a decision. 

What are side effects of Prevnar 13?

Side effects with pneumococcal vaccines are usually mild and go away on their own within a few days. But, like with all vaccines, a number of side effects are possible. 

Common side effects of Prevnar 13 include:

  • Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site 

  • Fever

  • Changes in appetite

  • Irritability

  • Fatigue

  • Trouble sleeping 

  • Headache

  • Chills

  • Muscle and joint pain

Of note, side effects can be different for various age groups. Infants, older children, and adults can all have different side effects compared to people of other ages. For more information, talk to a pharmacist, pediatrician, or healthcare provider. 

Who shouldn’t get Prevnar 13?

A number of people shouldn’t get Prevnar 13. And some people should only get it after they’ve been cleared by their healthcare provider. 

So, before you get either Prevnar 13, tell your health provider if you have any of the following medical conditions or circumstances: 

  • Have had any life-threatening allergic reaction to or have a severe allergy to pneumococcal vaccines, such as Prevnar 7 (PCV7), Prevnar 13, or Pneumovax 23 (PPSV23)

  • Have had a life-threatening reaction in the past to a vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid (like Tdap). 

  • You aren’t feeling well on the day of your vaccine. If you have a minor illness like a cold, you can probably still get vaccinated. But if you have a more serious illness, you should probably wait until you recover.

In addition to these, if your child was born premature, a healthcare provider will weigh the risks and benefits of vaccinating your child with Prevnar 13. There have been reports of apnea in premature infants who received intramuscular vaccines like Prevnar 13. Apnea is a type of slowed breathing that can be dangerous. 

How much does Prevnar 13 cost?

Prevnar 13 can be quite expensive without insurance. One dose of Prevnar 13 costs around $260 without any insurance or discounts. With a GoodRx coupon, you might be able to reduce your cost to around $217. Learn more about using a GoodRx coupon for vaccines.

All health insurance marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act (and most other private insurance plans) must cover pneumococcal vaccines without charging a copayment or coinsurance when an in-network provider administers the vaccine — even if you have not met a yearly deductible. And if you have Medicare Part B, the vaccine should also be covered. 

In addition to this, a program called Vaccines for Children (VFC) also exists. VFC is a U.S. government-based program that allows people 18 and under to receive vaccines at no cost. If you or your child are un- or underinsured, are eligible for Medicaid, or are an American Indian or Alaskan Native, you may be eligible for this program. 

What is Pneumovax 23 and who should get it?

Pneumovax 23 is another pneumococcal vaccine. It’s more commonly used in adults than children, but it can be used in people as young as 2 years old. Because of the way the vaccine works, it isn’t effective for infants and children under 2 years old.

Most adults don’t need a pneumococcal vaccine until they reach the age of 65. Once you turn 65 years old, the CDC recommends that you get Pneumovax 23. If you’re between the ages of 2 and 64, you may want to consider getting the vaccine if you have certain medical conditions or if you smoke cigarettes. 

Pneumovax 23 can be administered either subcutaneously (under the skin) or IM. Studies show that one dose of Pneumovax 23 protects 60% to 70% of healthy adults against serious pneumococcal disease.

Can you get both Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23?

In some cases, the CDC recommends that certain children and adults get Prevnar 13 in addition to Pneumovax 23. This is usually done if you have a high risk of complications from the bacteria. If you or your child have any of the following conditions, you likely are considered at high risk for a serious pneumococcal infection:

  • Have a cerebrospinal fluid leak

  • Have a cochlear implant

  • Have a spleen that doesn’t work well or no spleen

  • Are diagnosed with sickle cell disease or other inherited blood disorder

  • Live with HIV

  • Have chronic kidney disease

  • Anyone who has been told that their immune system is weaker than normal

  • Currently taking medications that suppress your immune system (including long-term steroid use and radiation therapy)

  • Prior history of a serious pneumococcal infection

The specific schedule for Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23 will depend on your particular circumstances — so it’s always best to check with your provider what they recommend for you. In particular, Pneumovax 23 is usually repeated every 5 years or more in most high risk people. And of note, you should never receive both vaccines at the same time. 

Remember: The recommendations for who should get a pneumonia vaccination are based on risk factors and age, so be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you think you might need one. You should be able to receive both Pneumovax 23 and Prevnar 13 at your local pharmacy, doctor’s office, or community healthcare clinic. Depending on which state you live in, these vaccines may not require a prescription. Be sure to reach out to your pharmacist for more information. 

You can refer to the CDC’s recommended vaccination schedule for more information.

Are there any other pneumonia vaccines?

In addition to Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23, a couple of other pneumococcal vaccines have been recently approved. This includes Prevnar 20 (PCV20) and Vaxneuvance (PCV15). 

Prevnar 20 was FDA-approved in June 2021 for people 18 and older. It protects against 20 different types of pneumococcal bacteria. Read more about Prevnar 20 in a previous GoodRx Health article.  

Vaxneuvance was FDA-approved in July 2021 for people 18 and older. This approval makes it the fourth pneumococcal vaccine that’s approved for use. Read more about Vaxneuvance in another previous GoodRx Health article.  

The bottom line

Prevnar 13 is a pneumococcal vaccine that’s available to help prevent serious illness caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. This bacteria can cause illnesses like pneumonia, meningitis, and sinus infections. 

Infants are routinely recommended to receive four doses of the vaccine before 2 years of age. However, general recommendations for it are rather complex. If you’re unsure if you should receive a dose of Prevnar 13, reach out to a healthcare provider. They can help you decide if you need a dose of it based on your medical records and vaccination history. 

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Intervals between PCV13 and PPSV23 vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Vaccines for children program (VFC).

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GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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