Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (21-valent) at a glance
Licensed role
Prevention of invasive disease and pneumonia caused by covered pneumococcal serotypes.
Administration
Given by a healthcare professional as an intramuscular injection, preferably into the upper arm.
What is Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (21-valent) used for?
Licensed for active immunisation against invasive disease and pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Adults aged 18 years and over.
Children and adolescents aged 2 to under 18 years who have completed primary paediatric pneumococcal vaccination.
How does Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (21-valent) work?
Capsular sugars from selected pneumococcal serotypes are linked to the CRM197 carrier protein. This prompts antibodies that help immune cells recognise and kill those pneumococci. Protection is limited to included and specified cross-reactive serotypes and may not occur in everyone.
How to take Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (21-valent)
A trained healthcare professional injects the vaccine into a muscle, preferably in the upper arm.
Tell the vaccinator about previous pneumococcal vaccines, allergies, current illness, immune suppression, anticoagulants or bleeding disorders.
Different injectable vaccines should be given at separate injection sites.
The solution must not be mixed with another medicinal product.
Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (21-valent) side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site pain, redness or swelling
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- In children and adolescents: irritability, malaise or sleepiness
Get urgent medical advice
- Rare hypersensitivity, including bronchospasm, wheezing, facial or tongue swelling, hives or breathing difficulty
Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (21-valent) in pregnancy
There are no human pregnancy data specific to this vaccine. Consider it only when the expected benefit outweighs potential maternal and fetal risks. UK immunisation guidance states that pneumococcal vaccines may be given during pregnancy when protection is needed without delay; discuss individual circumstances with the prescriber.
Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (21-valent) while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether this vaccine passes into human milk. It is inactivated, and UK specialist guidance states that inactivated vaccines present no risk to breastfed infants. A clinician can confirm whether vaccination is indicated.
Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (21-valent) interactions
Interaction evidence is limited. Vaccination history and concurrent treatments should be reviewed.
Immunosuppressive medicines
They may reduce the immune response.
Inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine
It may be given at the same visit in adults, using a different injection site.
Other vaccines
Concurrent-administration data are unavailable. Injectable vaccines given together must use separate sites.
Common questions about Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (21-valent)
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Who can receive this vaccine under its UK licence?
Adults can receive it. Children and adolescents from age 2 may receive it after completing primary paediatric pneumococcal vaccination.
Can it be given with a flu vaccine?
In adults, it can be given with an inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine at separate injection sites. Evidence with other vaccines is unavailable.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.