Dosing and uses of Prevnar (pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
vaccine
- 0.5mL (1 dose)
Other Indications & Uses
Not recommended (use polyvalent vaccine)
Active immunization against Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) capsular serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F in Peds
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
vaccine
- 0.5mL (1 dose)
Immunization Against Otitis Media
Schedule: 1 dose (0.5 mL) IM at 2*, 4, 6, & 12 months old (*may be given as early as 6 weeks old)
7-11 months old: 2 doses 4 weeks apart; 3rd dose at least 2 months later, after 12 month
12-23 months old: 2 doses, 2 months apart
2-9 years old: 1 dose
Immunization Against S. Pneumoniae
1 dose (0.5 mL) IM at 2*, 4, 6, & 12 months old (*may be given as early as 6 weeks old)
7-12 months old: 2 doses 4 weeks apart; 3rd dose at least 2 months later, after 12 month
12-24 months old: 2 doses, 2 months apart
2-9 years old: 1 dose
Additional Information
Up-to-date vaccination schedules available at www.cdc.gov/nip/publications
Prevnar (pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent) adverse (side) effects
Suspected adverse events after administration of any vaccine may be reported to Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), 1-800-822-7967
>10%
Fever (33%)
Tenderness, swelling at inj site (25%)
Drowsiness
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Hypotonia
Somnolence
Restless sleep
Irritability
1-10%
Rash
Postmarketing Reports
Anaphylaxis (rare)
Febrile seizure (rare)
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to any component of vaccine; febrile illness
Moderate/severe illness, wait for recovery
Immunosuppressed pts
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: not known if excreted in breast milk
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Prevnar (pneumococcal vaccine heptavalent)
These products convey active immunity via stimulation of production of endogenously produced antibodies
The onset of protection from disease is relatively slow, but duration is long lasting (years)
Duration: unknown
Mechanism of action
Capsular polysaccharide vaccine against 7 strains of pneumococci, conjugated to nontoxic diphtheria protein
