II. Indications
- See Pneumococcal Vaccine Indications
- Pediatric Vaccine
- Primary Immunization series for young children
- Four Dose Protocol: ages 2, 4, 6 and 12-15 months
- Catchup for healthy children with incomplete series: 1 dose at age 24 to 59 months
- Also give Pneumovax 23 to high risk children >2 years old
- Administer Prevnar 13 at least 8 weeks before Pneumovax 23
- See Pneumovax 23 for indications in children
- Primary Immunization series for young children
- Adult Vaccine under age 65 years
- Immunocompromised patients (e.g. HIV, Chemotherapy, Asplenia) or comorbidities (e.g. Tobacco, diabetes)
- See Pneumococcal Vaccine Indications
- Covered by Medicare Part B as of 2012 (CPT 90670)
- GIve Prevnar 20 alone (or Vaxneuvance AND Pneumovax 23)
- Prevnar 20 is sufficient alone, and does not require Pneumovax
- Covers all but 8% of strains in age 65 years (15% for age 19 to 65) covered by Pneumovax 23
- Prevnar 20 recommended for Immunocompromised patients as of 2022
- Offers better Immunity in high risk patients
- Timing with Pneumovax 23 (not required if Prevnar 20 used)
- No prior Pneumovax
- Give Prevnar 13 or Vaxneuvance at least 8 weeks before Pneumovax 23
- Prior Pneumovax
- Give Prevnar 13 or Vaxneuvance at least one year after Pneumovax 23
- No prior Pneumovax
- References
- Immunocompromised patients (e.g. HIV, Chemotherapy, Asplenia) or comorbidities (e.g. Tobacco, diabetes)
- Older adults after age 65 years
- Prevnar 20 alone is sufficient coverage without need for Pneumovax
- Prevnar 13 or Vaxneuvance should be used with Pneumovax 23
- CDC modified Prevnar 20 recommendations for healthy seniors in 2019 and again in 2022
- NNT 2600 Prevnar 13 vaccinated healthy seniors to prevent one case of Pneumonia
- Prevnar 13 Vaccine in children as Primary Series has protected seniors via Herd Immunity
- No prior Pneumovax 23
- Prevnar 13 or Vaxneuvance after age 65 year birthday AND
- Pneumovax 23 at 6-12 months after Prevnar dose
- Prior Pneumovax 23 after age 65 year birthday
- Prevnar 13 or Vaxneuvance after age 65 year birthday
- No further Pneumovax 23 needed
- Prior Pneumovax 23 before age 65 year birthday
- Prevnar 13 or Vaxneuvance after age 65 year birthday AND
- Pneumovax 23 at 6-12 months after Prevnar dose AND 5 years after prior Pneumovax 23
- Prevnar 20 alone is sufficient coverage without need for Pneumovax
- References
- (2012) Presc Lett 19(12): 69
- (2014) Presc Lett 21(11): 63-64
- (2019) Presc Lett 26(9): 49
- (2022) Presc Lett 29(3): 13
III. Pharmacology
- Prevnar 20
- Expands on Prevnar 13 to contain 7 additional serotypes for a total of 20
- Preferred Vaccine, and may be used alone without Pneumovax
- Available for use in adults, and expected approval for children in 2023
- Covers all but 8% of strains in age 65 years (15% for age 19 to 65) that are covered by Pneumovax 23
- Vaxneuvance
- Contains 15 serotypes (misses 15% of invasive pneumococcal disease covered by Prevnar 20)
- Available for use in adults and expected approval for children in 2022
- If used in place of Prevnar 20, then also give Pneumovax 23 (at appropriate interval)
- Prevnar 13
- Contains 13 serotypes
- Replaces the Prevnar-7 and includes the prior serotypes and 6 new ones
- Prior seven valent Vaccine covered serotypes most affecting children
- Serotypes: 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F
- These serotypes are responsible for >80% of Meningitis and bacteremia in age <6 years
- Contains 13 serotypes
- Components
- Pneumococcal Polysaccharide conjugated to non-toxic Diphtheria toxin
- Conjugated Vaccines generate longer lasting, better Immunity than PolysaccharideVaccines
- Increased memory cell production
- Differs from the adult Vaccine (Pnu-Imune 23)
- Prevnar is more immunogenic
- Prevnar does not contain Thimerosal
IV. Efficacy: Importance of Vaccine
- Infections caused by Streptococcus Pneumoniae (age <6)
- Community Acquired Pneumonia (leading cause)
- Otitis Media (leading cause)
- Bacterial Meningitis (leading cause)
- Streptococcus bacteremia
-
Antibiotic Resistance is growing
- Penicillin Resistant Pneumococcus now 24% of isolates
V. Efficacy: Highly effective
- Prevents 94-97% invasive disease by immunized serotypes
- Decreases Acute Otitis Media episodes in infants
- Significant reduction in pneumococcal Meningitis since Vaccine introduction (esp. <2 years old)
VI. Adverse Effects
- No serious adverse effects
- Fever to 38 F
- Febrile Seizure (esp. when combined with Influenza Vaccine)
- Local inflammation at injection site
VII. Dosing: Regular Schedule started in infancy
- Four doses: 2, 4, 6 and 12 to 15 months
VIII. Dosing: Catch up dosing based on age at first dose
- Age 2 to 6 months
- Primary Series: 3 doses, two months apart
- Booster: 12 to 15 months
- Age 7 to 11 months
- Primary Series: 2 doses, two months apart
- Booster: 12 to 15 months
- Age 12 to 23 months
- Primary Series: 2 doses, two months apart
- Age 24 to 59 months in healthy child
- Primary Series incomplete: one dose
- Age 24 to 59 months in child with chronic illness
- Indicated conditions
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Asplenic patient
- HIV Infection
- Other chronic illness
- Immunocompromising condition
- Primary Series incomplete: two doses, two months apart
- Indicated conditions
- Age 5 years and older
- Catch-Up Vaccination not recommended
IX. Dosing: Comorbid Conditions
- Schedules vary by underlying conditions (see CDC guidelines)
X. References
- (2021) Presc Lett 28(12): 67-8
- Ackerman (2015) Am Fam Physician 92(6): 460-8 [PubMed]
- Black (2000) Pediatr Infect Dis J 19:187-95 [PubMed]
- Eskola (2001) N Engl J Med 344:403-9 [PubMed]
- Kobayashi (2022) MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 71(4): 109-17 [PubMed]
- Rennels (1998) Pediatrics 101(4 pt 1):604-11 [PubMed]
- Shinefield (1999) Pediatr Infect Dis J 18:757-63 [PubMed]
- Zimmerman (2001) Am Fam Physician 63(10):1991-2004 [PubMed]
- (2000) MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 49(RR-9):1-35 [PubMed]