Who should get pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) be given to all children younger than 5 years of age to protect them when they are at greatest risk for serious diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Children 6 to 18 years of age with certain underlying medical conditions (e.g., heart disease, lung disease, cancer) should also be vaccinated. Older children and adults with certain chronic illnesses may get a different vaccine called pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV). To learn more about who is most at risk for pneumococcal disease, see the pneumococcal disease Q&A. For additional details, consult the PCV Vaccine Information Statement as well as the Childhood Immunization Schedule.
