What Is Prevnar 13? Uses, Side Effects, Interactions | HealthInfi

What is Prevnar 13?

Prevnar 13 vaccine is used to prevent infection caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Prevnar 13 contains 13 different types of pneumococcal bacteria.

Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection caused by a bacteria. Pneumococcal bacteria can infect the sinuses and inner ear. It can also infect the lungs, blood, and brain, and these conditions can be fatal.

Prevnar 13 works by exposing you to a small amount of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. Prevnar 13 will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Prevnar 13 is for use in children from 6 weeks to 5 years old, and in adults who are 50 and older.

Becoming infected with pneumococcal disease (such as pneumonia or meningitis) is much more dangerous to your health than receiving Prevnar 13. However, like any medicine, Prevnar 13 can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Like any vaccine, Prevnar 13 may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Prevnar 13 (Pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine [diphtheria CRM197 protein]) suspension for intramuscular injection is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. In adults 50 years and older, Prevnar 13 is used to immunize against pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive disease. In adults, antibody responses to Prevnar 13 were diminished when given with inactivated Influenza Virus Vaccine. In children 6 weeks through 5 years of age, Prevnar 13 is used to immunize against invasive pneumococcal disease and otitis media. In adults aged 50 years and older, common side effects of Prevnar 13 include:

• fatigue,
• tired feeling,
• headache,
• muscle pain,
• joint pain,
• decreased appetite,
• injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or a hard lump),
• limitation of arm movement,
• chills,
• skin rash,
• tired feeling,
• drowsiness,
• sleeping more or less than usual,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea, or
• low grade fever (102 degrees or less).
• In infants and toddlers, common side effects of Prevnar 13 include the above, and:
• crying,
• fussiness

Children 6 weeks through 5 years should receive a four-dose immunization series. Adults 50 years and older should receive a single dose. The safety and effectiveness of Prevnar 13 in pregnant women have not been established. It is not known whether this vaccine is excreted in human milk. Prevnar 13 may interact with steroids, chemotherapy or radiation, medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection, and medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use, and all vaccines you recently received. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Our Prevnar 13 (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Important information

For children, Prevnar 13 vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. The booster shots are then given at 4 months, 6 months, and 12 to 15 months of age. Adults usually receive only one dose of the vaccine.

In a child older than 6 months who has not yet received Prevnar 13, the first dose can be given any time from the age of 7 months through 5 years (before the 6th birthday).Read More