Read and report vaccine reactions, harassment and failures.
According to the CDC, certain individuals should not get pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), or should postpone getting it. These people include:
- Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to: a previous dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13, PCV15, PCV20 or PCV7 – an earlier version of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine); a diphtheria toxoid containing vaccine (IE DTaP vaccine); or any life-threatening or severe allergies.
- If you or your child are not feeling well, a discussion with your health care provider about delaying PCV vaccination should be considered.
Persons who should not get PPSV23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine), or should postpone getting the vaccine include:
- Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of PPSV23 should not get another dose
- Anyone with a severe allergy to any ingredient found in PPSV23 should not receive the vaccine. It is important to tell your doctor about any severe allergies.
- Pregnant women should not receive this vaccine
- Children under the age of two should not receive this vaccine
- Persons who are moderately or severely ill should wait until they have recovered fully before receiving this vaccine.
NVIC Note: Some doctors only vaccinate children who are healthy and are not sick at the time of vaccination with a coinciding viral or bacterial infection. If you do not want your acutely ill child vaccinated and your doctor disagrees with you, you may want to consider consulting one or more other trusted health care professionals before vaccinating.
IMPORTANT NOTE: NVIC encourages you to become fully informed about Pneumococcal and the Pneumococcal vaccine by reading all sections in the Table of Contents , which contain many links and resources such as the manufacturer product information inserts, and to speak with one or more trusted health care professionals before making a vaccination decision for yourself or your child. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
Contraindications to receiving the Prevnar 13 (PCV13) vaccine documented in Wyeth Pharmaceuticals package insert include persons who have experienced a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to any component of Prevnar 13 (PCV13) or any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid.
The Prevnar 13 (PCV13) package insert warns that apnea following administration with Prevnar 13 (PCV13) has occurred in infants born prematurely. The infant’s medical status as well as the possible risks and potential benefits to vaccination should be carefully evaluated prior to considering Prevnar 13 (PCV13).
Persons with altered immune systems may have a reduced response to vaccination with Prevnar 13 (PCV13). Data on the administration of Prevnar 13 (PCV13) to women who are pregnant is insufficient for Wyeth pharmaceuticals to provide any information on the risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
There is no available data on the effects of Prevnar 13 (PCV13) on the breast-fed infant and it is recommended that breastfeeding women carefully consider the possible risk of vaccination on the infant when considering this vaccine.
Prevnar 13 (PCV13) has not been studied for its potential to cause cancer, genetic mutations or male infertility. Studies on female fertility were limited to the vaccine’s effects on female rabbits.
Contraindications to receiving the Prevnar 20 (PCV20) vaccine documented in Wyeth Pharmaceuticals package insert include persons who have experienced a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to any component of PCV20 or any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid.
There is no safety or immunogenicity information on the use of PCV20 in persons who are immunocompromised. Persons with altered immune systems may have a reduced response to vaccination with PCV20.
Data on the administration of PCV20 to women who are pregnant is insufficient for Wyeth pharmaceuticals to provide any information on the risks of vaccination during pregnancy. There is no available data on the effects of PCV20 on the breast-fed infant and it is recommended that breastfeeding women carefully consider the possible risk of vaccination on the infant when considering this vaccine.
PCV20 is approved for individuals six weeks of age and older. Individuals under the age of six weeks should not receive PCV20.
Contraindications to receiving VAXNEUVANCE (PCV15) vaccine documented in Merck’s package insert include persons who have experienced a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to any component of PCV15 or any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid.
Data on the administration of PCV15 to women who are pregnant is insufficient for Merck pharmaceuticals to provide any information on the risks of vaccination during pregnancy. There is no available data on the effects of PCV15 on the breast-fed infant and it is recommended that breastfeeding women carefully consider the possible risk of vaccination on the infant when considering this vaccine.
PCV15 is approved for individuals six weeks of age and older. Individuals under the age of six weeks should not receive PCV15.
Contraindications to receiving CAPVAXIVE (PCV21) vaccine documented in Merck’s package insert include a previous severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to any component of PCV21 or any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid.
Data on the administration of PCV21 to women who are pregnant is insufficient for Merck pharmaceuticals to provide any information on the risks of vaccination during pregnancy. There is no available data on the effects of PCV21 on the breast-fed infant and it is recommended that breastfeeding women carefully consider the possible risk of vaccination on the infant when considering this vaccine.
PCV21 is approved for adults 18 years of age and older. Persons under the age of 18 should not receive PCV21.
Contraindications to receiving the PNEUMOVAX23 (PPSV23) vaccine documented in Merck’s product insert include persons who have experienced a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to any component of PNEUMOVAX23 (PPSV23).
PNEUMOVAX23 (PPSV23) should not be administered to children under the age of two and Merck warns that vaccination with PNEUMOVAX23 (PPSV23) should be deferred in individuals who are moderately or severely ill.
Caution is advised when vaccinating any person with a severely compromised pulmonary and/or cardiovascular function where a reaction may cause a significant health risk.
PNEUMOVAX23 (PPSV23) may not be effective for the prevention of pneumococcal meningitis persons who have cerebrospinal fluid leaks and persons with altered immune status may not respond effectively to vaccination.
Data on the administration of PNEUMOVAX23 to women who are pregnant is insufficient for Merck to provide any information on the risks of vaccination during pregnancy. It is also unknown whether PNEUMOVAX23 is found in human milk and as a result, Merck cautions the use of PNEUMOVAX23 in both pregnant and breastfeeding women.