Find answers to frequently asked questions about PNEUMOVAX 23 and pneumococcal disease.
QUESTIONS ABOUT PNEUMOVAX 23
PNEUMOVAX 23 is recommended by the CDC for people 65 years or older — even if they may have already received a dose of another vaccine for pneumococcal disease. It is also recommended for adults 19 to 64 years of age who have certain chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, or COPD).
You should not get this vaccine if you:
- are allergic to any of its ingredients
- had an allergic reaction to PNEUMOVAX 23 in the past
- are less than 2 years old
Most often, just one shot is given. If you are in a high-risk group for pneumococcal infection, then your health care provider will decide if it would be helpful to give a second shot of PNEUMOVAX 23 at a later time.
Tell your health care provider if you:
- are allergic to PNEUMOVAX 23
- have heart or lung problems
- have a fever
- have immune problems or are receiving radiation treatment or chemotherapy
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
Talk to your health care provider if you plan to get ZOSTAVAX® (Zoster Vaccine Live) at the same time as PNEUMOVAX 23 because it may be better to get these vaccines at least 4 weeks apart.
Talk to your health care provider if you plan to get PNEUMOVAX 23 at the same time as other vaccines.
The most common side effects are:
- pain, warmth, soreness, redness, swelling, and hardening at the injection site
- headache
- weakness, feeling tired
- muscle pain
Tell your health care provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following problems after vaccination because these may be signs of an allergic reaction or other serious conditions:
- difficulty breathing
- wheezing
- rash
- hives
Side effects at the site where you get the shot may be more common and may feel worse after a second shot than after the first shot.
Tell your health care provider if you have a side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
For a more complete list of side effects, ask your health care provider.
You may also report any side effect to your health care provider, or directly to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). You may call the VAERS number 1-800-822-79671-800-822-7967 at no charge, or report online to www.vaers.hhs.gov.
Some people have problems with leakage of spinal fluid after the skull is cracked or injured or after medical operations and this may increase their risk for pneumococcal infection. PNEUMOVAX 23 may not be able to prevent all of these infections.
The vial stoppers, syringe plunger stopper, and syringe tip cap for PNEUMOVAX 23 are not made with natural rubber latex.
Questions about Pneumococcal Disease
People who are sick or healthy can spread these bacteria by coughing, sneezing, and being in close contact with others.
If you are 65 years or older, or if you are an adult with certain chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, or COPD), you may have a greater risk for pneumococcal disease.
Pneumococcal disease can be serious. It can cause a number of illnesses like pneumococcal pneumonia (an infection of the lungs), pneumococcal bacteremia (an infection of the blood), and pneumococcal meningitis (an infection of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord).
Pneumococcal infections can strike quickly and without warning, and symptoms are not the same for everyone.
PNEUMOVAX 23 is a vaccine that helps protect against pneumococcal disease caused by certain bacteria. It’s recommended by the CDC for adults who are 65 years and older, and for adults who are at greater risk because of certain chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or COPD.
PNEUMOVAX 23 may not protect everyone who gets it. It will not protect against diseases that are caused by bacteria types that are not in the vaccine.
ASK YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF PNEUMOVAX 23 IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Take the next step and speak with your health care provider. See our list of questions that can help with that conversation.
See our list of questions that can help with that conversation.
