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November 2010
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What is pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcal disease is caused by a common bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. There are 90 types of Strep pneumonia bacteria. It can be commonly found in 15% of healthy adults and up to 65% of children in child care centres. The bacteria can live in the nose and throat of many people without causing symptoms. Only a few types of the bacteria can cause serious infections in the blood, lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), heart (endocarditis) and lungs (pneumonia). It can also cause sinus and ear infections.
Who can get pneumococcal disease?
Everyone is at risk of getting pneumococcal disease. Every year in Ontario around 1,000 people get seriously ill with invasive disease like meningitis or blood infections. Adults and children with weakened immune systems or medical conditions are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. Young children attending group day care are also at higher risk. Many children will get pneumonia and middle ear infections caused by the bacteria.
How is it pneumococcal disease spread?
The disease is spread through contact with the respiratory droplets of an infected person by sneezing, coughing, sharing eating utensils, kissing or when children put shared toys in their mouths.
How can I prevent pneumococcal disease?
Cover your cough and wash your hands often. Don't let your children share items they put in their mouths like bottles and toys. Avoid sharing eating utensils. Breastfeed your child; children who are currently being breastfed are getting antibodies from their mother. Children and some adults can also get a vaccine to protect them.
How is it treated?
Pneumococcal infections can be treated with timely medical care and antibiotics. Even with the right treatment some people can get very sick, have long-lasting injury or in rare cases can die.
What is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are used to protect children against pneumococcal disease.
The vaccine protects against the serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the vaccine. In Ontario, the vaccine Prevnar®13 is free and protects children 2 months to less than 5 years against the thirteen commonest serotypes that cause disease in infants and children.
How well does the Prevnar®13 protect against pneumococcal disease?
Children who complete a full series of shots on time are well protected against the 13 types in the vaccine: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F.
How many shots of the Prevnar®13 vaccine does my child need?
To make sure your child is properly protected, it is very important to make sure your child gets all 3 shots on time, especially the 12 month shot. The vaccine is free for all healthy infants in Ontario at 2, 4 and 12 months of age.
Infants who are at high risk for complications of pneumococcal disease should receive four shots at 2, 4, 6 and 12-15 months of age. High risk conditions for children include:
- Chronic respiratory disease (except asthma)
- Chronic cardiac disease
- Cirrhosis
- Chronic renal disease or nephritic syndrome
- Diabetes
- Asplenia, splenic dysfunction
- Sickle-cell disease
- Chronic cerebrospinal fluid leak
- Primary immune deficiency
- HIV infection
- Other conditions with immunosuppression
- Solid organ transplant recipients
- Cochlear implant recipients
What if my child started with a different pneumococcal conjugate vaccine instead of Prevnar®13?
Your child will be switched to the new vaccine Prevnar®13 automatically by your health care provider.
What if my child had all their pneumococcal conjugate needles with a different vaccine? Can they get Prevnar®13 for free?
If your child is 2 or turning 2 in 2011, your child can receive one shot of Prevnar®13 for free.
What are the side effects of the Prevnar®13 vaccine?
Side effects of Prevnar®13 are usually mild and include soreness, redness and swelling where the shot was given. Some children may also develop a fever, drowsiness, loss of appetite, or crankiness. Severe reactions such as seizures, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and swelling of the mouth and throat are rare. If a child has a serious reaction after getting the vaccine, see a doctor immediately.
Who should not get the Prevnar®13 vaccine?
Prevnar®13 should not be given to individuals who:
- Have previously had a serious reaction to the vaccine
- Have a serious allergy to diphtheria toxoid, sodium chloride, succinic acid, or polysorbate 80
Is it safe for my child to get more than 1 shot at each visit?
Clinical trials have shown that it is safe to give Prevnar®13 and other vaccines routinely given to children. Your infant’s immune system is strong enough to handle the vaccines and produce a good immune response even if more than one vaccine is given at a time.
My child now needs three needles at the 12 month visit. What can I do to make it easier for my child?
In order to reduce the pain and distress for infants and parents due to vaccinations, see our fact sheet on "How to reduce your child's pain from immunization".
Where can I get more information?
Talk to your health care provider or call the Immunization Information Line at 416-392-1250.
Pneumococcal Disease and Vaccine (Pneu-P-23)
Last updated October 2011
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