Prevnar 20
Prevnar 20 is a vaccine that prevents people 6 weeks of age and older from getting pneumococcal disease that's caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (or "pneumococcus"). Prevnar 20 is commonly used to prevent pneumonia in adults. After the vaccine gets injected into the muscle, it helps your immune system build up protection against infection. The dosing schedule depends on your age, your medical conditions, and your previous pneumococcal vaccinations. Prevnar 20 side effects generally differ by age, but can include pain at the injection site and fatigue.
What is Prevnar 20?
What is Prevnar 20 used for?
- Prevention of pneumococcal infections in people 6 weeks of age and older
- Prevention of pneumococcal ear infections in children between 6 weeks and 5 years of age
- Prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia in adults 18 years and older
How Prevnar 20 works
Prevnar 20 is a vaccine that protects you against pneumococcal disease, an infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (also known as "pneumococcus"). This bacteria can infect many parts of the body and cause serious problems.
Prevnar 20 is a conjugate vaccine that can protect you against 20 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The vaccine contains a small piece of the bacteria.
When you get Prevnar 20, your immune system makes antibodies against the bacteria. These antibodies can recognize and attack the bacteria if it infects you.
Drug facts
More on Prevnar 20 essentials
Side effects of Prevnar 20
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Children under 18 years
- Irritability
- Low appetite
- Pain, redness, or swelling at injection site
- Muscle pain
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Sleepiness
Adults 18 years and older
- Pain at injection site
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Headache
Prevnar 20 serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reactions: hives, dizziness, fever, rash, shaking, itching, nausea, flushing, low blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain
The following Prevnar 20 side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
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Pros and cons of Prevnar 20
Pros
- Offers protection against more types of pneumococcus than Prevnar 13
- Recommended by the CDC to prevent pneumococcal infections
- Not made with latex
Pharmacist tips for Prevnar 20
- Dosing schedules for vaccinations can be very confusing. Ask your provider or pharmacist about timing, planning, and scheduling your Prevnar 20 vaccine dose(s) if you need guidance.
- Make sure to keep a record of all your immunizations and show it to your provider or pharmacist before getting any vaccine, including Prevnar 20. This is helpful for your providers to figure out what vaccines you need to stay up to date.
- The most common Prevnar 20 side effects include pain or swelling at the site of injection, tiredness, muscle aches, headaches, and joint pain. They typically last only a few days. Talk to your provider if these side effects don't go away with time.
- If you're feeling sick, it's best to wait until you're healthy to get Prevnar 20 to make sure your immune system protects you as best as it can. With that said, you can still get Prevnar 20 if you have a mild sickness, such as a cold or low-grade fever. But if you feel moderately to severely sick, wait until you recover before getting this vaccine. Ask your provider if you're not sure whether you can get Prevnar 20 if you're feeling unwell.
- If you get a severe reaction to Prevnar 20, you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
- Read the vaccine information statement for the pneumococcal vaccine for more information.
Common questions about Prevnar 20
Ask your providers whether you should get Prevnar 20 because it depends on your age, medical conditions, and past vaccinations. In general, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine vaccination against pneumococcal disease with Prevnar 20 for children starting at 2 months of age and ending by 15 months of age. In addition, adults younger than 65 with certain medical conditions and adults 65 years and older should get Prevnar 20 based on their medical conditions and pneumonia vaccine history. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent pneumococcal disease. While getting Prevnar 20 doesn't mean that you won't get infected by pneumococcal bacteria, it helps lower the risk for serious and possibly life-threatening infections, like pneumonia and meningitis, if you do.
No, Prevnar 20 isn't a live vaccine that contains a weakened version of the bacteria. Instead, Prevnar 20 is made of a small piece of the germ; the vaccine can't make you sick since it doesn't contain the whole bacteria. This means that Prevnar 20 is a safe choice for people with a weakened immune system (from their health conditions or from the medications they take) who need to get vaccinated against pneumococcus.
No, Prevnar 20 is a conjugate vaccine, which means that it's made of a piece of the bacteria and a protein attached together. In contrast, an mRNA vaccine, like the COVID-19 vaccines, contains lab-made genetic material (mRNA) that teaches your body how to make a part of the bacteria (or virus). Conjugate vaccines and mRNA vaccines use different methods to get your immune system to make antibodies against the bacteria and protect you from infection.
Prevnar 20 doesn't replace Pneumovax 23, but it's an alternative option to Pneumovax 23. People who get Prevnar 20 don't need to also get Pneumovax 23. The CDC includes Prevnar 20 in its recommendations for vaccination against pneumococcus. Ask your provider or pharmacist whether Prevnar 20 is a good option for you as an alternative to Pneumovax 23.
It's best to discuss with your healthcare provider whether you should get Prevnar 20 if you've gotten other pneumococcal vaccines in the past. This is because it depends on how many doses of each pneumococcal vaccine you've had, your age, and what medical conditions you have. For example, adults 19 to 64 years of age with long-term health conditions (e.g., diabetes, lung problems) who previously had one dose of Prevnar 13 or Pneumovax 23 can get Prevnar 20 at least 1 year later to complete their pneumococcal vaccination. Refer to the CDC's Pneumococcal vaccine timing guide for adults for more information. Ask your provider if you're not sure whether you should get Prevnar 20.
Prevnar 13, Pneumovax 23, Vaxneuvance, and Prevnar 20 are four types of pneumococcal vaccines that are included in the CDC's recommended vaccine schedules. These vaccines are typically given to different age groups and in different situations (for example, whether someone has received a pneumonia vaccine before or not). Additionally, these vaccines also differ in the number and types of pneumococcal bacterial strains that they each protect against. Talk with your provider or pharmacist for more details about the differences between the four types of pneumococcal vaccines and about which vaccine is right for you.
Prevnar 20 is given as an injection into the muscle only by a healthcare professional. It's not a prescription that your provider writes for you to pick up from the pharmacy and take at home. You should be able to find Prevnar 20 at local pharmacies and clinics. Contact your provider for assistance if you're having trouble finding a location that stocks Prevnar 20.
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Risks and warnings for Prevnar 20
Prevnar 20 can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Severe allergic reactions
As with any vaccine, there's a rare chance that you might have a severe allergic reaction to Prevnar 20. Your provider might ask you to stay at the pharmacy or clinic for a short period of time after you've gotten your vaccine. Your provider can give you proper care if a serious allergic reaction happens during this time. But sometimes, allergic reactions can happen after you've already left the clinic. Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as feeling faint, swelling of the face, closing of the throat, difficulty breathing, hives, rash, dizziness, shaking, nausea, or chest pain.
Lower response to Prevnar 20 in people with a weakened immune system
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
Pneumococcal vaccines like Prevnar 20 might not work as well in people with a weak immune system. This can raise the risk for pneumococcal infections such as pneumonia, even after they've gotten vaccinated against the bacteria. Make sure your providers know about any medical conditions you might have that can weaken the immune system, like HIV or cancer. Also tell them about the medications you take; some medications can weaken your immune system, including high-dose corticosteroids and transplant medications. Talk with your provider first before getting Prevnar 20.
Breathing issues (apnea) in premature babies
- Risk factors: Premature birth
Some babies who were born prematurely had breathing problems after they got vaccines were injected into the muscle. Be sure to talk to your child's provider about the benefits and risks of Prevnar 20 (a vaccine that's injected into the muscle) if your baby was born prematurely. The provider will discuss whether Prevnar 20 is right for your child.
Prevnar 20 dosage
Syringe| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5ml | 1 syringe | $249.20 | $249.20 |
Typical dosage for Prevnar 20
Prevnar 20 is given as an injection into the muscle by a healthcare provider. It's given into the thigh muscle for babies and young children and into the shoulder muscle for older children and adults.
Dosing schedules for vaccinations can be very confusing, so be sure to ask your provider or pharmacist about timing, planning, and scheduling your Prevnar 20 vaccine dose(s).
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Routine vaccination for children ages 6 weeks to 15 months: Routine vaccination consists of 4 doses. It's given as 1 injection at age 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 though 15 months. The first dose can be given as early as 6 weeks of age.
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Catch-up vaccination for children who've never received a pneumococcal vaccine
- Ages 7 to 11 months: Catch-up consists of 3 injections. The first two injections are given at least 1 month apart from each other. The third injection is given after your child turns 1 year old (must be at least 2 months after the second injection).
- Ages 1 to under 2 years: Catch-up consists of 2 injections given at least 2 months apart from each other.
- Ages 2 years to 17 years: Catch-up consists of 1 injection of Prevnar 20 given at any time.
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Catch-up vaccination for children who've previously received at least one dose of another pneumococcal vaccine: Catch-up consists of 1 injection given at least 2 months after the most recent dose of the other pneumococcal vaccine.
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Vaccination for adults ages 18 years and older: The typical dose is 1 injection of Prevnar 20 into the muscle.
How much does Prevnar 20 cost?
$249.20
Prevnar 20 contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Prevnar 20 will not be safe for you to take.
What are alternatives to Prevnar 20?
