Prevenar® Vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prevention

Prevenar is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine used to help prevent invasive disease, pneumonia, and middle ear infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. It is given by a trained professional and is used in infants, children, and adults according to age-based schedules. This page explains uses, dosing basics, safety, and how to access US shipping from Canada, including options for those paying without insurance.

What Prevenar Is and How It Works

Prevenar® is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. It contains capsular polysaccharides from multiple pneumococcal serotypes chemically linked to a carrier protein to enhance immune response. As a result, the immune system can recognize these serotypes more effectively and produce protective antibodies.

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The conjugate design helps the immune system form memory. That means future exposures to the same bacteria can be met with a quicker, stronger response. The vaccine does not treat active infection. It prevents specific serotypes of S. pneumoniae that are included in the formulation. For reference, an approved labeling term is Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13-valent.

Different age groups follow different schedules. Infants typically receive a series in the first year of life with a booster later in toddlerhood. Older children and adults may receive single-dose schedules, depending on vaccine type and clinical guidance.

Who It’s For

This medicine is indicated for prevention of disease caused by vaccine serotypes in eligible infants, children, and adults. Immunization programs often include a routine infant series beginning as early as 6 weeks of age. Adults may receive a single dose when recommended by public health guidance.

The phrase Prevenar 13 for adults is commonly used when discussing adult schedules under certain regional recommendations. People with chronic conditions or immunocompromising states may be prioritized because their risk of severe pneumococcal illness can be higher. Those with a history of severe allergy to any vaccine component, including diphtheria CRM197 protein, should not receive this product.

Vaccination may be deferred in people with moderate or severe acute illness until recovery. Talk to your healthcare professional if you have bleeding disorders, are pregnant, or are receiving immune-modulating therapy. Decisions should follow current national immunization guidelines and the official product monograph.

Dosage and Usage

The vaccine is administered intramuscularly by a trained professional. Common injection sites are the anterolateral thigh in infants and the deltoid region in older children and adults. Standard pediatric schedules often include doses in early infancy followed by a booster in the second year of life. Adult schedules may be a single dose with some formulations.

When using adult formulations, the term Prevenar 20 injection is often used in practice. Your dosing schedule will follow national recommendations and your prescriber’s direction. This medicine may be given at the same visit as other routine vaccines at separate injection sites. If the schedule differs from your region’s guideline, your clinician will advise the appropriate plan.

Do not attempt to self-inject. Remain seated or lying down during vaccination if you are prone to fainting. Clinics typically observe patients briefly after injection for immediate reactions.

Strengths and Forms

Formulations are supplied as single-dose prefilled syringes. Presentation can vary by market and stock. A commonly referenced package is Prevenar 13 0.5 mL syringe. Adult formulations are also supplied as single-dose prefilled syringes; exact components depend on the labeled serotypes for your region.

Availability can differ by province or state, and specific presentations may change over time. Your prescriber or pharmacist will confirm which version is appropriate for your age group and risk profile.

Missed Dose and Timing

If a primary series is delayed, schedules can often be continued without restarting. The next appointment is usually planned according to your age and the dose already received. Do not repeat a dose without direction. For adults, a missed appointment can typically be rescheduled at the next opportunity.

Spacing between doses matters in infants and young children. Your healthcare professional will use a catch-up schedule if needed. Keep vaccination records handy and bring them to each visit.

Storage and Travel Basics

Clinics and pharmacies store this vaccine in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. Do not freeze. Keep syringes in the original carton to protect from light. If your order ships to your home, follow the included instructions and place it in the refrigerator promptly on arrival. Keep medicines out of reach of children.

When traveling, use an insulated container with cold packs if directed, and keep documentation showing the vaccine name and lot number. Avoid exposing the syringe to heat or freezing conditions. Ask your pharmacist for guidance on timing doses around trips and how to transport safely. Our packing uses temperature-controlled handling when required.

Benefits

This treatment helps reduce the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease, including bacteremia and meningitis caused by vaccine serotypes. It can also lower the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia in eligible age groups according to established guidelines. Conjugate technology promotes a robust immune response and immunologic memory.

Adult formulations may simplify protection by covering additional serotypes in a single visit. Pediatric schedules are well studied and integrated into routine programs. For broader respiratory health information, explore Respiratory Care Week 2025 and Healthy Lung Month.

Side Effects and Safety

• Injection site pain or tenderness
• Redness or swelling at the site
• Fever, chills, or tiredness
• Headache or muscle aches
• Irritability or drowsiness in infants
• Decreased appetite in young children

Serious reactions are rare but can include severe allergic responses. Seek emergency care for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of the face and throat. Fainting can occur around the time of injection; remaining seated for observation helps reduce injury risk. People with bleeding disorders or on anticoagulants should inform their prescriber before injection.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Immunosuppressive therapies, including high-dose corticosteroids, chemotherapy, or biologics, may reduce the immune response to vaccines. Your prescriber may time doses around such treatments. The vaccine may be given at the same visit as other routine immunizations at different sites, following local schedules.

Tell your healthcare professional about any severe allergies, prior vaccine reactions, or evolving medical conditions. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your clinician will weigh potential benefits and risks according to current guidance. For more on lung health topics that relate to infection risk, see Acute Bronchitis.

What to Expect Over Time

After vaccination, protection develops as your immune system responds to the included serotypes. Mild local reactions are common and typically resolve within a few days. Keep track of your doses, note any side effects, and attend scheduled appointments.

For infants and toddlers, adherence to the full series supports durable protection in early childhood. Adults may complete protection in a single visit depending on the chosen formulation and regional guidance. Your healthcare professional will confirm when additional vaccinations are indicated.

Compare With Alternatives

Conjugate vaccines differ by the number of serotypes included. A 13-valent option has been widely used in infants and some adult programs. A 20-valent option offers broader serotype coverage for adults in many regions and may be given as a single dose. Polysaccharide vaccines such as PPSV23 are also used in adults and certain high-risk groups under national recommendations.

Your prescriber will determine whether a conjugate-only approach or a conjugate followed by polysaccharide strategy is best. Guidance changes over time as evidence evolves. Review current public health recommendations and your medical history before vaccination.

Pricing and Access

Check availability and Prevenar 13 price on our product page to see current options. For adult formulations, review PCV20 vaccine price to compare schedules and selection. You can browse Canadian pricing with clear checkout steps and support. We provide US delivery from Canada for eligible orders.

Want to look for seasonal offers or learning resources? See Promotions for any current notices. For respiratory condition support medicines, you can also explore Trelegy Ellipta, Breo Ellipta, Pulmicort Nebuamp, and Symbicort as prescribed for other lung conditions.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary. If a particular presentation is unavailable, your prescriber may recommend a clinically appropriate alternative schedule. The choice between adult formulations and timing with other vaccines should follow official guidance in your region.

For condition information and related care topics, see our categories for Pneumococcal Infection, Pneumonia, and Infectious Disease. These pages aggregate relevant products and articles.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Most people become eligible by age or risk-based criteria set by national immunization programs. People with prior severe allergic reactions to vaccine components should avoid this product. If you live with chronic heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease, or have diabetes or immunocompromising conditions, ask about adult vaccination.

To manage out-of-pocket expenses, consider scheduling during routine visits to minimize extra trips. Ask your prescriber whether an adult single-dose option suits your history, which can reduce separate appointments. Keep digital reminders for upcoming doses in infant schedules. Review billing codes with your clinic to understand cash-pay processes.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Which pneumococcal vaccine and schedule fit my age and risk?
• Can I receive this with other routine vaccines at the same visit?
• What local reactions should I expect, and how can I manage them?
• Do my medicines or conditions affect vaccine response?
• If I miss a visit, how do we plan a catch-up schedule?
• For travel, how should this vaccine be stored and transported?

Authoritative Sources

Manufacturer: PfizerFDA Labeling: DailyMedHealth Canada Drug Product Database

Ready to proceed? Place your order online with prompt, express, cold-chain shipping. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the official label.