Do I Need a Pneumonia Shot? Here’s Everything to Know About Pneumococcal Vaccines
Pneumococcal vaccines protect against pneumonia and other conditions caused by Strep bacteria. Here’s your guide to different pneumococcal shots and schedules.
Vaxneuvance
Used for Ear Infection, Meningitis, Pneumonia
Used for Ear Infection, Meningitis, Pneumonia
Vaxneuvance, also known as PCV15, is a vaccine that prevents you from getting sick with pneumococcal disease. It was approved by the FDA in 2021 and is one of four pneumococcal vaccines currently available. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the CDC recommends routine vaccination against pneumococcal disease. Some common side effects that babies or young children might experience from Vaxneuvance include acting more irritable or feeling more sleepy. Some side effects that older children and adults might experience include extreme tiredness and muscle pain.
What is Vaxneuvance?
What is Vaxneuvance used for?
- Prevention of pneumococcal infections in children and adults
How Vaxneuvance works
Vaxneuvance 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.
Vaxneuvance is a conjugate vaccine that can protect you against 15 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae. It helps your body's immune system make antibodies that will attack the bacteria if it ever infects your body.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Vaxneuvance |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Vaccine |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Vaxneuvance
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 less than 2 years old:
- Irritability (up to 63%)
- Sleepiness (up to 48%)
- Pain at injection site (up to 40%)
- Fever (up to 20%)
- Not eating well (up to 19%)
- Redness or swelling at injection site (up to 15%)
Adults and children age 2 years and older:
- Pain at injection site (up to 76%)
- Fatigue (up to 34%)
- Muscle pain (up to 29%)
- Headache (up to 27%)
- Swelling at injection site (up to 22%)
- Redness at injection site (up to 15%)
- Joint pain (up to 12%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Rash at injection site
Vaxneuvance 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 Vaxneuvance 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
Get your GoodRx coupon
$278.85
GoodRx discount
$233.99
Pros and cons of Vaxneuvance
Pros
- Has been shown to work well to protect against serious infections from pneumococcus
- A possible option for children and adults
- Doesn't contain latex
Cons
- Can't receive if you've had an allergic reaction to diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccines (e.g, DTaP or Tdap) in the past
- Can cause muscle pain and tiredness
Pharmacist tips for Vaxneuvance
- Ask your provider if Vaxneuvance is right for you before you receive this vaccine because it might not be appropriate for everyone.
- Make sure to keep a record of all your immunizations and show it to your provider or pharmacist before receiving any vaccine, including Vaxneuvance. This is helpful for your provider or pharmacist in figuring out what vaccines you need.
- The most common side effects with Vaxneuvance include pain or swelling at the site of injection, tiredness, muscle aches, headaches, and joint paint. They should typically last less than 3 days. If these side effects don't start to go away after 3 days, talk to your provider.
- If you're feeling sick, ask your provider if you can receive Vaxneuvance. Depending on how sick you are, your provider might ask you to wait until you are healthy to get the Vaxneuvance. This will help make sure your immune system protects you as best as it can. If you have a mild sickness, such as a cold, you can still get Vaxneuvance. But if you feel moderately to severely sick, your provider might ask you to wait until you recover before getting this vaccine.
- If you get a severe reaction to Vaxneuvance, you or your provider can report it to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) website or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
- Ask your provider whether you need a second dose of a pneumococcal vaccine in the future. If you've never had a pneumococcal vaccine before and you receive Vaxneuvance, you will need a second dose with a different pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax 23) in about a year.
- Read the vaccine information statement for more information on Vaxneuvance.
Risks and warnings for Vaxneuvance
Vaxneuvance 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 Vaxneuvance. Your provider might ask you to stay at the pharmacy or clinic for a short period of time after you've received your vaccine to make sure you can get proper care in case of a serious allergic reaction. Sometimes, these 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 or rash, dizziness, shaking, nausea, or chest pain.
Lower response to Vaxneuvance
- Risk factors: Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking medications that lower your immune system
Vaxneuvance might not work as well in people with a weak immune system. This can put you at higher risk of pneumonia, even after you've received the vaccine. If you have any medical conditions, such as HIV or cancer, or take medications that weaken your immune system, such as high-dose corticosteroids or transplant medications, don't receive Vaxneuvance until you've first talked with your provider.
Breathing problems (in premature infants)
There have been reports of premature infants experiencing breathing problems after receiving Vaxneuvance. If your infant is born premature, your provider will only give Vaxneuvance to your child if they think the benefits will be greater than the risk of harm. If your infant has received this vaccine, get medical help right away if you notice their breathing temporarily stopping.
Vaxneuvance dosage
The average cost for 1 syringe of 0.5ml of Vaxneuvance is $233.99 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 16.09% off the average retail price of $278.85. 
Syringe
Syringe| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5ml | 1 syringe | $233.99 | $233.99 |
Typical dosage for Vaxneuvance
- Infants and toddlers: Vaxneuvance is typically administered as a four-dose series at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 to 15 months. Each dose is 1 injection (0.5 mL) into the muscle.
- Children ages 7 months to less than 18 years: If your child hasn't received Vaxneuvance in the past, your child's provider will determine when and how many doses of the vaccine your child needs based on their age. Each dose is 1 injection (0.5 mL) into the muscle.
- Adults: The typical dose is 1 injection (0.5 mL) into the muscle.
Please note: For CDC recommendation on who should receive Vaxneuvance, see FAQ section
How much does Vaxneuvance cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Vaxneuvance (brand)
$233.99
Vaxneuvance 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 Vaxneuvance will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to any diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine
What are alternatives to Vaxneuvance?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Vaxneuvance. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
