The dosage is 0.5 mL. The number of doses required is based on age and other factors. Your healthcare provider will determine how many doses you need.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine contains several strains of pneumococcal bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae) combined with a carrier protein. When injected, the vaccine in the body familiarizes the immune system to the pneumococcal bacteria. If the person is exposed to the bacteria again, the immune system can mount a quick, specific attack against the bacteria and ultimately resist infection. Protection offered by this vaccine is only against those strains of bacteria from which the vaccine is prepared.

Generally this vaccine is well tolerated and most people experience only minor side effects, which may include:

• reactions where the vaccine was injected (e.g., redness, mild pain, swelling) (everyone)
• fever (everyone)
• irritability (children)
• decreased appetite (children)
• more or less sleep (children)
• fatigue (adults)
• headache (adults)
• joint/muscle pain (adults)

Uncommon:

• allergic reaction (e.g. rash; hives; wheezing; difficulty breathing; swelling of lips, face, tongue)

• People with a weakened immune system from a medical condition or due to medications, may have a reduced response to this vaccine.
• Medications given by intramuscular injection should be given with caution to people with bleeding disorders.
• Administration of pneumococcal vaccine should be postponed if suffering from severe acute illness. Immunization should not be delayed because of minor acute illness, with or without fever.

Use is not recommended in the following situations:

• prior severe allergic reaction to pneumococcal vaccine  
• allergy to any component of the vaccine

Use in pregnancy: There is no evidence to suggest that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine poses a risk to the fetus or to the pregnancy.

Use in breastfeeding: Breastfeeding women can be vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine.