Prevenar® Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine: Indications, Schedules, and Storage

What Prevenar® Is and How It Works

Prevenar® is Pfizer’s pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). It helps protect against disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Serotypes vary by version, such as Prevenar 13 (PCV13) and Prevenar 20 (PCV20). Each 0.5 mL dose is given by intramuscular injection. The vaccine links pneumococcal polysaccharides to a carrier protein. This conjugation drives a T cell–dependent immune response and immune memory. Many people search for prevenar without insurance because prices can vary widely by location.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba; prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing. We also work with licensed, vetted partner pharmacies internationally to supply authentic brand vaccines at fair prices and a broad selection.

Prevenar 13 vaccination is used in infants, toddlers, children, and certain adults. It helps prevent invasive pneumococcal disease, pneumonia, and acute otitis media due to included serotypes. Prevenar 20 expands coverage to 20 serotypes for adults in many programs. In some markets, the US brand name appears as Prevnar 13 (often typed as prevnar13). Product availability and schedules follow local guidelines. Patients should follow their healthcare provider’s advice on timing and sequence.

Prevenar is a prescription vaccine and is administered by a healthcare professional. The dose and number of shots depend on age and risk factors. International programs may differ between 3-dose and 4-dose infant schedules. Adults at increased risk often receive a single PCV dose, per guidance.

Dosage and Usage

• Administration: 0.5 mL intramuscular injection by a healthcare professional. Do not inject intravenously or subcutaneously.
• Infants/children: PCV13 schedules often use 3 or 4 doses across the first 12–15 months of life. Programs vary by country.
• Catch-up: Children and adolescents who missed doses may receive a catch‑up series based on age.
• Adults: Many adults receive a single Prevenar 13 or Prevenar 20 dose, guided by age and risk conditions.
• High-risk groups: Immunocompromised patients, those with cochlear implants or cerebrospinal fluid leaks, may have specific sequences.
• PPSV23 (23‑valent polysaccharide) may be sequenced with PCV in some adults. The interval depends on program guidance.
• Missed appointment: Reschedule as soon as possible. Series usually does not need to restart after a delay.
• Injection sites: Anterolateral thigh for infants; deltoid muscle for older children and adults.
• Observation: Patients may be observed after vaccination for immediate reactions, per clinic policy.

• Store Prevenar in a refrigerator at 2–8 °C (36–46 °F). Do not freeze.
• Keep the syringe or vial in the original carton to protect from light.
• If you are transporting your vaccine to an appointment, use an insulated cooler with cold packs to maintain 2–8 °C.
• Do not use if the product has been frozen, leaked, or shows discoloration. Contact the clinic or pharmacy.
• Keep out of reach of children. Do not self‑administer.
• For travel, plan your route and time so you keep the cold chain. Ask the clinic to administer promptly on arrival.
• YouDrugstore ships with prompt, express, cold‑chain shipping so your order stays within range.

Benefits and Savings

Prevenar 13 and Prevenar 20 help reduce the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by included serotypes. Conjugate vaccines produce strong, durable immune responses and immune memory. Infant programs have shown fewer hospitalizations and fewer cases of serious bacterial infection. Adults gain broader protection with PCV, including coverage against pneumonia from targeted serotypes.

Convenience matters. Adults often need only a single PCV dose, and clinics can coordinate any PPSV23 sequence if required. Families value predictable schedules for infants. You can plan appointments to match local recommendations and your provider’s guidance.

Ordering from Canada can lower costs significantly. Many customers report 60–80% savings compared with typical US prices. This can help patients who are paying without insurance and clinics managing budgets. Multi‑pack or multi‑month purchases for series completion may reduce the per‑dose cost. You can also set gentle reorder reminders in your account so the next dose is not missed.

Side Effects and Safety

• Injection‑site pain, redness, or swelling
• Fatigue, headache, chills, or mild fever
• Muscle or joint aches
• Irritability, drowsiness, decreased appetite in infants
• Vomiting or diarrhea, usually short‑lived
• Local lymph node swelling near the injection site

Serious reactions are rare. They can include severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), high fever, or syncope. Postpone vaccination during moderate or severe acute illness with fever. Premature infants may require monitoring for apnea after vaccination. People with a history of severe allergy to any vaccine component, including diphtheria toxoid or a previous PCV dose, should not receive Prevenar. Immunocompromised patients may have a reduced immune response.

Onset Time

Antibody responses begin within 1–2 weeks after a dose. For infants, protection builds across the series and is strongest after the booster dose. Adults usually reach near‑peak antibody levels within 2–4 weeks after a single PCV dose. Vaccines help prevent future pneumococcal disease and do not treat an active infection. Protection persists, but duration varies by age, health status, and serotype.

Compare With Alternatives

Prevenar 13 (PCV13) covers 13 serotypes and is widely used in infant schedules and selected adult groups. Prevenar 20 (PCV20) expands adult serotype coverage to 20. Many programs now prefer PCV20 for adults because of its breadth, while others still use PCV13 for specific groups, sometimes followed by PPSV23.

PPSV23 (often called Pneumovax 23) is a 23‑valent polysaccharide vaccine. It is not a conjugate vaccine. Polysaccharide vaccines can broaden serotype coverage but do not generate the same T cell–dependent memory. Some adults may receive both a PCV and PPSV23 in a defined sequence. Patients may see the phrase “pneumo 23 y prevenar 13” in bilingual resources describing this sequence.

PCV15 (Vaxneuvance) is another conjugate option for adults in some regions. Programs may offer PCV15 plus PPSV23 as an alternative to PCV20 alone. Choice depends on age, risk factors, prior vaccination, and local guidance. While some searches mention “prevenar 23,” the 23‑valent product is PPSV23 and is not branded as Prevenar. Check program recommendations before switching between platforms.

Combination Therapy

• May be given at the same visit as influenza, Tdap, or COVID‑19 vaccines at different sites.
• When both PCV and PPSV23 are indicated, sequence them per local guidance to optimize coverage.
• For patients previously vaccinated with PPSV23, providers may give a PCV later, based on interval rules.
• Coadministration can increase local reactions; clinicians may stagger if reactogenicity is a concern.
• Use separate syringes and sites for each vaccine.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates include infants starting routine immunization, older adults, and people with chronic heart, lung, or liver disease. Diabetes, alcoholism, smoking, cochlear implants, and cerebrospinal fluid leaks also raise risk. Many immunocompromised patients benefit from PCV with or without PPSV23. Pregnant patients should follow provider advice based on benefit and risk.

Do not vaccinate people with a history of severe allergy to any component or to a previous dose. Postpone during moderate or severe illness with fever. Providers consider prior vaccination history, local epidemiology, and age when selecting PCV13, PCV15, PCV20, or adding PPSV23.

To manage costs, clinics and families may order a full series at once when appropriate. This can lower the per‑dose price and reduce missed appointments. You can set reorder reminders in your account for the next scheduled dose. If you are comparing options with no insurance, check both Prevenar 13 and Prevenar 20 listings. The prevenar price can vary by serotype coverage and supply.

Authoritative Sources

Pfizer product information for Prevnar 13

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Prevnar 13

FDA Prescribing Information: Prevnar 13

Order Prevenar® from Youdrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold‑chain handling.

This page is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.