What is the conjugate pneumococcal vaccine?
This vaccine is now available in Canada but is covered under most provincial vaccine programs except in the Northwest Territories. It may not be covered by some private health plans. It is given at the same time as the DTP-Polio-Hib shots. Pneumococcal diseases are serious infections caused by a bacteria. Certain subtypes of this bacteria can cause meningitis, pneumonia and ear infections as well as a blood infection called bacteremia. What are the risks of pneumococcal vaccination? The vaccine is very safe and like the others can cause some redness at the site of the shot. Some children will get mild fever, fussiness, rash or stomach upset. What is the meningicoccal vaccine? This vaccine protects against a specific subtype of meningococcal infections. Meningitis is a bacteria which causes life-threatening skin, blood and brain infections. It is also now covered under most provincial vaccine programs except in Nunavut. It may not be covered by some private health plans. These infection
