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Immunization has saved more lives in Canada in the last 50 years than any other health measure.
The PCV 7 vaccine protects against infection from seven types of pneumococcal bacteria. The vaccine is approved by Health Canada.
The PCV 7 vaccine is provided free as part of your child’s routine immunizations. Call your local public health nurse or doctor to make an appointment.
The PCV 7 vaccine is given to infants as a series of three doses or shots. The first dose is given 2 months of age, the second at 4 months, and the third at 12 months. The vaccine is given at the same time as other childhood immunizations.
| PCV 7 Vaccine | Child's Age at Vaccination |
| 1st dose | 2 months |
| 2nd dose | 4 months |
| 3rd dose | 12 months |
An extra dose of vaccine is given at 6 months of age for children who have:
At 2 years of age, a child with any of the above medical conditions should also receive a dose of a different vaccine, which protects them against more types of pneumococcal bacteria. For more information see BC HealthFile #62b Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine.
It is important to keep a record of all immunizations received.
The PCV 7 vaccine is the best way to protect your child against pneumococcal disease, a serious and sometimes fatal disease. When you get your child vaccinated, you help protect others as well.
Vaccines are very safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get pneumococcal disease.
Common reactions to the vaccine may include soreness, redness and swelling where the shot was given. Some may also have fever, or experience drowsiness, crankiness or a loss of appetite. These reactions are mild and generally last 1 to 2 days.
| Acetaminophen or Tylenol® can be given for fever or soreness. ASA or Aspirin® should NOT be given to anyone under 20 years of age due to the risk of Reye Syndrome. |
It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine because there is an extremely rare possibility of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips. If this happens after you leave the clinic, call 911 or the local emergency number. This reaction can be treated, and occurs in less than one in a million people who get the vaccine.
Report serious or unexpected reactions to your public health nurse or doctor.
Speak with a public health nurse or doctor if your child has had a life-threatening reaction to a previous dose of pneumococcal vaccine, or any component of the vaccine, or to latex.
Pneumococcal infection is caused by a germ (or bacteria). It can cause serious and life-threatening infections including meningitis, an infection of the lining that covers the brain, and septicemia, an infection of the blood. For every 20 children who get sick, up to 5 will die. Permanent complications of infection include brain damage and deafness.
Pneumococcal infection is spread from one person to another by coughing, sneezing or close face-to-face contact. It can also be spread through saliva or spit when people share things like food and drinks. Babies and children can become sick through sharing soothers, bottles or toys used by other children.
Pneumococcal disease is now rare in BC because of routine childhood vaccination programs.
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