But these people should still be vaccinated, because
they are more likely to have serious complications if
they get pneumococcal disease.
Children who often get ear infections, sinus
infections� or other upper respiratory diseases, but
who are otherwise healthy, do not need to get PPSV
because it is not effective against those conditions.

4

H ow m any doses of PPSV are
ne e ded, and when?

Usually only one dose of PPSV is needed, but under
some circumstances a second dose may be given.

• A second dose is recommended for people 65 years
and older who got their first dose when they were
younger than 65 and it has been 5 or more years
since the first dose.

• A second dose is recommended for people 2
through 64 years of age who:
- have a damaged spleen or no spleen
- have sickle-cell disease
- have IDV infection or AIDS
- have cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple
myeloma
- have nephrotic syndrome
- have had an organ or bone marrow transplant
- are taking medication that lowers immunity
(such as chemotherapy or long-term steroids)

When a second dose is given, it should be given 5
years after the first dose.

5

Some p eopl e should not get
PPSV o r should wait

• Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic
reaction to PPSV should not get another dose.

• Anyone who has a severe allergy to any component
of a vaccine should not get that vaccine. Tell your
provider if you have any severe allergies.
• Anyone who is moderately or severely ill when the
shot is scheduled may be asked to wait until they
· recover before getting the vaccine. Someone with a
mild illness can usually be vaccinated.

• While there is no evidence that PPSV is harmful to
either a pregnant woman or to her fetus, as a
precaution, women with conditions that put them
at risk for pneumococcal disease should be
vaccinated before becoming pregnant, if possible.

(6

I What are the risks from PPSV? )

About half of people who get PPSV have mild side
effects, such as redness or pain where the shot is
given.

Less than 1 % develop a fever, muscle aches, or more
severe local reactions.
A vaccine, like any medicine, could cause a serious
reaction. But the risk of a vaccine causing serious
harm, or death, is extremely small.

7

What if there is a severe
reac tion?

What should I look for?
Any unusual condition, such as a high fever or
behavior changes. Signs of a severe allergic reaction
can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or
wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart
beat or dizziness.
What should I do?
• Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right
away.
• Tell the doctor what happened, the date and time
it happened, and when the vaccination was given.
• Ask your provider to report the reaction by filing
a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
(VAERS) form. Or you can file this report through
the VAERS website at www.vaers.bhs.gov, or by
calling 1-800-822-7967.
VAERS does notprovide medical advice.

(__8-..LI _H_o_ w_ c_a_n_l_l_e_arn
_ _ m_ o_re_ ?_____.)
• Ask your provider. They can give you the vaccine
package insert or suggest other sources of
in{ormation.
• Call your local or state health department.

• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC):
- Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
- Visit CDC's website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

IPPSV

(10/6/09)

Vaccine Information Statement j