Read and report vaccine reactions, harassment and failures.
According to the CDC, certain persons should not get PCV13 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine), or should postpone getting it. These persons include:
- Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to: a previous dose of PCV13; a diphtheria toxoid containing vaccine (IE DTaP vaccine); or previous dose of PCV7 vaccine, an earlier version of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, should not get PCV13.
- Anyone with a severe allergy to any ingredient found in PCV13 should not receive the vaccine. It is important to tell your doctor about any severe allergies that you or the person receiving the vaccine may have.
- If you or your child are not feeling well, a discussion with your health care provider about delaying PCV13 vaccination should be considered.
Persons who should not get PPSV23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine), or should postpone getting the vaccine include:
- Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of PPSV23 should not get another dose
- Anyone with a severe allergy to any ingredient found in PPSV23 should not receive the vaccine. It is important to tell your doctor about any severe allergies.
- Pregnant women should not receive this vaccine
- Children under the age of two should not receive this vaccine
- Persons who are moderately or severely ill should wait until they have recovered fully before receiving this vaccine.
Prevnar 13 (PCV13)
Contraindications to receiving the Prevnar 13 (PCV13) vaccine documented in Wyeth Pharmaceuticals product insert include persons who have experienced a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to any component of Prevnar 13 (PCV13) or any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid.
The Prevnar 13 (PCV13) package insert warns that apnea following administration with Prevnar 13 (PCV13) has occurred in infants born prematurely. The infant’s medical status as well as the possible risks and potential benefits to vaccination should be carefully evaluated prior to considering Prevnar 13 (PCV13).
Persons with altered immune systems may have a reduced response to vaccination with Prevnar 13 (PCV13). Data on the administration of Prevnar 13 (PCV13) to women who are pregnant is insufficient for Wyeth pharmaceuticals to provide any information on the risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
There is no available data on the effects of Prevnar 13 (PCV13) on the breast-fed infant and it is recommended that breastfeeding women carefully consider the possible risk of vaccination on the infant when considering this vaccine.
Prevnar 13 (PCV13) has not been studied for its potential to cause cancer, genetic mutations or male infertility. Studies on female fertility were limited to the vaccine’s effects on female rabbits.
PNEUMOVAX23 (PPSV23)
Contraindications to receiving the PNEUMOVAX23 (PPSV23) vaccine documented in Merck’s product insert include persons who have experienced a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to any component of PNEUMOVAX23 (PPSV23).
PNEUMOVAX23 (PPSV23) should not be administered to children under the age of two and Merck warns that vaccination with PNEUMOVAX23 (PPSV23) should be deferred in individuals who are moderately or severely ill.
Caution is advised when vaccinating any person with a severely compromised pulmonary and/or cardiovascular function where a reaction may cause a significant health risk.
PNEUMOVAX23 (PPSV23) may not be effective for the prevention of pneumococcal meningitis persons who have cerebrospinal fluid leaks and persons with altered immune status may not respond effectively to vaccination.
PNEUMOVAX23 (PPSV23) is a Pregnancy Category C product and it is not known whether the vaccine can cause fetal harm or affect reproduction. It is also unknown whether PNEUMOVAX23 is found in human milk and as a result, Merck cautions the use of PNEUMOVAX23 in both pregnant and breastfeeding women.
NVIC Note: Some doctors only vaccinate children who are healthy and are not sick at the time of vaccination with a coinciding viral or bacterial infection. If you do not want your acutely ill child vaccinated and your doctor disagrees with you, you may want to consider consulting one or more other trusted health care professionals before vaccinating.
IMPORTANT NOTE: NVIC encourages you to become fully informed about Pneumococcal and the Pneumococcal vaccine by reading all sections in the Table of Contents , which contain many links and resources such as the manufacturer product information inserts, and to speak with one or more trusted health care professionals before making a vaccination decision for yourself or your child. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.