Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)

Indications

Prevention of invasive infections, pneumonia, and acute otitis media due to Streptococcus pneumoniae in children from 6 weeks of age.

Composition, forms, route of administration

• 10-valent or 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine.
• Suspension for injection: 10-valent vaccine in multidose vials, 13-valent vaccine in monodose and multidose vials.
• For IM injection into the anterolateral part of the thigh in children under 2 years and into the deltoid muscle in children 2 years and over.
• Do not administer into the gluteal muscle.

Dose and vaccination schedule

Child: 0.5 ml per dose.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer in the event of allergic reactions to a previous dose of vaccine.
• Vaccination should be postponed in the event of severe acute febrile illness; minor infections are not contra-indications.
• May cause mild local reactions, fever, irritability, drowsiness, loss of appetite, and rarely seizures or anaphylactic reactions.
• If administered simultaneously with other vaccines, use different syringes and injection sites.
• If the vaccination is interrupted before the complete series has been administered, continue the schedule from where it was interrupted and do not repeat the previous dose.
• Choice of vaccines and vaccination schedule: follow national recommendations.
• Shake before use to homogenise the vaccine.
• 10-valent vaccine, 2-dose vial: if the open vial is not used entirely within 6 hours it should be discarded.
• 10-valent and 13-valent vaccine, 4-dose vial: if the open vial is not used entirely it can be stored for 28 days, provided the cold chain is respected.