Pneumococcal polyvalent vaccine (By injection)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

This vaccine is not right for everyone. You should not receive this vaccine if you had an allergic reaction to pneumococcal vaccine.

A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. This vaccine is given as a shot into a muscle or under the skin, usually in the thigh or upper arm.

Some medicines can affect how this vaccine works. Tell your doctor if you are receiving a treatment or medicine that causes a weak immune system. This includes radiation treatment, steroid medicine (such as hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone), or cancer medicine.
You should not receive varicella virus vaccine (Zostavax®) at the same time that you are given pneumococcal vaccine. The vaccines should be given 4 weeks apart.

Tell the doctor if you are currently sick, or if you have heart disease, blood vessel disease, or lung disease.
Adults and adolescents: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you have a weak immune system. You may not be fully protected by this vaccine.
Tell your doctor if you have any problems with spinal fluid, which could be caused by a birth defect or previous surgery. This vaccine may not prevent meningitis in people who have spinal fluid problems.

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
High fever

Last Updated: 1/27/2017