Technically Speaking: Refresher! Use of Pneumococcal Vaccines in Infants, Children, and Children with Health Conditions
Published on in Vaccine Update for Healthcare Providers
Published on in Vaccine Update for Healthcare Providers
Since the licensure of PCV13 (Prevnar 13®, Pfizer) in 2010, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has published three sets of recommendations for the use of PCV13 and PPSV23 (Pneumovax®23, Merck) in children. The guidance for high-risk conditions can be complex, but fortunately, a number of organizations have developed detailed materials to help healthcare professionals determine which of the two pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for whom and with what timing.
Children ages 6 through 18 years who have certain health conditions and are PCV13 naïve should receive a single dose of PCV13. These conditions include immunodeficiency, sickle cell disease, anatomic or functional asplenia, and CSF leaks, among others. For details, see ACIP recommendations for use of PCV13 and PPSV23 in children 6–18 years with immunocompromising conditions (6/28/13) and the resources section at the end.
Children age 2 years and older who have certain health conditions (in addition to needing PCV13) will also need to receive one or two doses of PPSV23 given at least five years apart. The number of PPSV23 doses needed depends on the child’s health condition. The PPSV23 dose #1 should be given at least eight (8) weeks after the PCV13 dose. Consult ACIP pneumococcal vaccine recommendations for children 6–18 years with risk conditions for details.
Pneumococcal Vaccine Timing — For Children
In addition, CDC has released a free mobile app, the PneumoRecs VaxAdvisor, to help vaccination providers quickly and easily determine which pneumococcal vaccines a patient needs and when.
IAC links to ACIP pneumococcal recommendations listed chronologically.
Contributed by: Deborah Wexler, MD
Categories: Vaccine Update April 2019, Technically Speaking
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
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