Private vaccinations
Pneumococcal (Pneumovax 23 & Prevenar 13)
Vaccines protecting against pneumococcal infection — pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia.
About this vaccine
About Pneumococcal (Pneumovax 23 & Prevenar 13)
Two pneumococcal vaccines are commonly used in adults: Prevenar 13 (a 13-valent conjugate vaccine, PCV13) and Pneumovax 23 (a 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine, PPV23). They cover different but overlapping sets of pneumococcal serotypes and are often used together in higher-risk adults.
In the UK the routine infant schedule uses a conjugate pneumococcal vaccine. Older adults are offered Pneumovax 23 on the NHS from age 65. Additional pneumococcal cover with PCV13 is used privately in at-risk groups.
What it protects against
Protection
Invasive pneumococcal disease including pneumococcal pneumonia, bacterial meningitis and septicaemia.
How it's delivered
Delivery
Intramuscular injection.
Doses
Number of doses required
Usually a single dose of Pneumovax 23. Where both are indicated, Prevenar 13 is given first, followed by Pneumovax 23 at least 8 weeks later.
Who should have it
Who should consider it
Adults 65 and over, and at-risk adults and children of any age — including those with chronic lung, heart, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, cochlear implants, sickle cell disease, absent or non-functioning spleen, or immunosuppression.
Contraindications
Important information
Confirmed anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose or to any component of the vaccine.
Vaccination enquiry