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Immunization has saved more lives in Canada in the last 50 years than any other health measure.
The PCV 13 vaccine replaces the PCV 7 vaccine, which has been used in B.C. since 2003. PCV 13 vaccine protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria. The vaccine is approved by Health Canada.
The PCV 13 vaccine is provided free as part of your child’s routine immunizations. Call your local public health nurse or doctor to make an appointment.
The PCV 13 vaccine is given as a series of three doses or shots. Children get the first dose at 2 months of age, the second at 4 months, and the third at 12 months. The vaccine is given at the same time as other childhood immunizations.
| PCV 13 Vaccine | Child's Age at Vaccination |
| 1st dose | 2 months |
| 2nd dose | 4 months |
| 3rd dose | 12 months |
An extra dose of vaccine is given at 6 months of age for children who have:
Children under 5 years or up to 59 months of age with any of the above medical conditions who have completed a PCV 7 vaccine series should also receive one dose of PCV 13.
At 2 years of age, a child with any of the above medical conditions should also receive a dose of another vaccine, which protects against more types of pneumococcal bacteria. For more information, see HealthLink BC File #62b Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine.
It is important to keep a record of all immunizations received.
The PCV 13 vaccine is the best way to protect your child against pneumococcal disease, a serious and sometimes fatal disease.
When you get your child vaccinated, you help protect others as well.
Vaccines are very safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get pneumococcal disease.
Common reactions to the vaccine may include soreness, redness and swelling where the shot was given. Some may also have fever or experience drowsiness, crankiness or a loss of appetite. These reactions are mild and generally last 1 to 2 days.
| Acetaminophen or Tylenol® can be given for fever or soreness. ASA or Aspirin® should NOT be given to anyone under 20 years of age due to the risk of Reye Syndrome. |
It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine because there is an extremely rare possibility of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips. If this happens after you leave the clinic, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. This reaction can be treated and occurs in less than one in a million people who get the vaccine.
Report serious or unexpected reactions to your public health nurse or doctor.
Speak with a public health nurse or doctor if your child has had a life-threatening reaction to a previous dose of pneumococcal vaccine, or to any component of the vaccine.
Pneumococcal infection is caused by a germ (or bacteria). It can cause serious and life-threatening infections including meningitis, an infection of the lining that covers the brain, and septicemia, an infection of the blood. For every 30 children who get sick, 1 will die. Permanent complications of infection include brain damage and deafness.
Pneumococcal infection is spread from one person to another by coughing, sneezing or close face-to-face contact. It can also be spread through saliva or spit when people share food or drinks. Babies and children can become sick through sharing soothers, bottles or toys used by other children.
Pneumococcal disease is now rare among children in B.C. because of routine childhood vaccination programs.
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For more HealthLink BC File topics, visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca/healthfiles/index.stm or your local public health unit. Click on www.HealthLinkBC.ca or call 8-1-1 for non-emergency health information and services in B.C. For deaf and hearing-impaired assistance, call 7-1-1 in B.C. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages on request. |
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