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3 reasons why it's important that your baby gets all 3 doses of Prevnar 13

1 Babies are susceptible to invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)

2 Your baby’s natural immunity may not be enough to protect them

3 Your doctor or nurse will instruct you to complete your baby's course of injections

IPD is a serious infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. These bacteria can lead to potentially life-threatening disease when it invades the lungs (bacteraemic pneumonia), blood stream (sepsis) and brain (meningitis).
Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria are very common. They can be resistant to antibiotics and may be hard to treat.
That’s why it’s so important to prevent IPD before it starts with a vaccine like Prevnar 13 (which can’t help with the treatment of an active infection).

More about IPD

Vaccines jumpstart the body’s natural immunity. They help the body make its own antibodies, which help protect against harmful conditions.

Your baby's immune system is amazing
It's estimated that a baby's immune system can produce up to one billion antibodies!

Prevnar 13 is given more than once, across multiple visits, to build up your child’s immune system over time.
It is important to follow the instructions of your doctor and/or nurse so that your child completes the full course of vaccinations.
Make sure your baby is vaccinated on time Let us remind you when it's time for your baby's next dose.
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† Infants at high risk for IPD may need 4 doses of Prevnar 13.

There are tools to help you keep track of your baby’s immunization history

mom kit

  • Ask your doctor for
    a Prevnar Parent Toolkit!
  • Handy storage: spaces for baby’s hospital card, insurance card and vaccination booklet
  • Sticker reminders: fun and easy-to-use vaccination reminders to help you keep track
  • Facts & milestone cards: cute photo prop on one side and helpful facts on the other
  • Kits are not available in Quebec.

CANImmunize is a free digital tool for Canadians that securely stores your vaccination records and helps you get vaccinated on time.
Download the CANImmunize App from your phone's app storemacgplay

can immunize

Download the CANImmunize App from your phone's app storemacgplay

Ensure your baby gets all 3 doses of Prevnar 13

For healthy infants as part of a routine immunization program

For infants at high risk for IPD

For previously unvaccinated children from 7 months to 5 years

DOSE 1a2 months

DOSE 2b4 months

DOSE 3c11–12 months

aCustomary age for dose 1 is 2 months of age, but it can be given as young as 6 weeks of age.
bRecommended dosing interval is 2 months.
cBooster dose is recommended between 11 and 12 months of age.

DOSE 1a2 months

DOSE 2b4 months

DOSE 3b6 months

DOSE 4c12–15 months

aDose 1 may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.
bThe recommended dosing interval is 4–8 weeks.
cThe fourth dose should be administered at approximately 12–15 months, at least 2 months after the third dose.
dInfants at high risk for IPD may need 4 doses of Prevnar 13.

Age at first dose 7–11 months 12–23 months 24 months to 5 years

Total number of doses 3a 2b 1c

aTwo doses at least 4 weeks apart; third dose after the first birthday and separated from the second dose by at least 2 months.
bTwo doses at least 2 months apart.
cPrior to their 6th birthday.
Infants at high risk for IPD may need 4 doses of Prevnar 13.

Let us help you remember when to book your next appointment Sign up for reminders

sign upsign up† Infants at high risk for IPD may need 4 doses of Prevnar 13.

Why Prevnar 13?

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends Pneu-C-13 (Prevnar 13) as the current product of choice for routine infant immunization schedule

More than
125 countries
include Prevnar 13 on their national immunization programs

Prevnar + Prevnar 13:
Over 4.5 million
Canadian children vaccinated since 2001

Prevnar (Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine) has been replaced with Prevnar 13 and is no longer available in Canada.

Prevnar 13 is a pneumococcal vaccine used for the prevention of diseases such as bacteraemic pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis and ear infections caused by 13 types of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. It’s administered into the arm or leg muscle.
Prevnar 13 works by helping the body create antibodies to recognize and respond to harmful bacteria. That way, the immune system can remember and fight against disease if the harmful bacteria attack in the future. Prevnar 13 helps your baby's body make its own antibodies, which protects against diseases caused by the 13 types of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Learn more

Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)

What is IPD?IPD is the term used to describe certain infections caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae when it’s found in a part of the body that normally shouldn’t contain bacteria, like the blood stream or the brain.

Besides IPD, the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria can infect the middle ear and cause acute otitis media.

How does the bacteria spread?The Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria can be passed from person to person through talking, coughing or sneezing. While most people who are exposed to the bacteria don’t get sick, babies who have not been immunized are at higher risk for illness, since their immune systems have not been prepared to defend against it.

IPD infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae can be life-threatening

BACTERAEMIC PNEUMONIA(lung infection with bacteria in the blood stream)

SEPSIS(bacteria in the blood stream)

MENINGITIS(inflammation around the brain)

ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA(middle ear infection)

baby

Accounts for 15–25% of the cases of IPD in young children

  • Symptoms
  • Fever and chills
  • Cough
  • Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Complications
  • Infection of the space between membranes that surround the lungs and chest cavity (empyema)
  • Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis)
  • Blockage of the airway that allows air into the lungs (endobronchial obstruction)
  • Lung collapse (atelectasis)
  • Collection of pus (abscess) in the lungs
BACTERAEMIC PNEUMONIA

baby

Considered a medical emergency

  • Symptoms
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Low alertness
  • Clammy or sweaty skin
  • Complications
  • Rapid deterioration of tissue health and organ function
  • About 1 in 100 children under 5 with bacteraemia infection (bacteria in the blood stream) will die from it
sepsis

baby

The most severe type of IPD

  • Symptoms
  • Stiff neck
  • Fever and headache
  • Pain when looking into bright lights
  • Confusion
  • Poor eating and drinking; vomiting
  • Low alertness
  • Complications
  • About 1 out of 15 children under 5 will die from the infection
Meningitis

ACUTE OTITIS

Up to half of middle ear infections are caused by pneumococcus bacteria

  • Symptoms
  • Ear pain
  • A red, swollen ear drum
  • Fever
  • Sleepiness
  • Complications
  • Usually mild and are more common than other pneumococcal diseases – it is not an invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)
  • Some children develop repeated ear infections and may need ear tubes
ACUTE OTITIS

How is IPD treated?

IPD can be treated with antibiotics.
Although Prevnar 13 can help protect against diseases such as bacteraemic pneumonia, sepsis or bacteraemia, meningitis and ear infections caused by 13 types of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, it is not intended to be used in the treatment of active infection.
As with any vaccine, Prevnar 13 will not protect 100% of those who receive the vaccine.
Prevnar 13 is not indicated to reduce complications of IPD, including death, neurological complications or hearing loss.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I protect my baby against IPD?

While IPD can be very serious in babies and young children, Prevnar 13 can help reduce this risk. Childhood vaccination with Prevnar 13 is publicly funded in all provinces and territories across Canada.

How many doses of Prevnar 13 are administered to my child?

As part of their routine immunization schedule, typically 3 to 4 doses of Prevnar 13 are recommended. According to official recommendations in your province, an alternative schedule may be used by your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. It is important to follow the instructions from your doctor, pharmacist or nurse so that your child completes the course of injections.

How do I know if my baby has been vaccinated with Prevnar 13?

Take a look at your baby’s immunization record, as all the vaccines he or she has received should be recorded there. Also check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse to make sure your baby's vaccines are up to date. Digital resources such as the CANImmunize app can provide further assistance with managing your baby’s immunization records.

You can also ask your doctor for a Prevnar Parent Toolkit to help
you keep track. Kits are not available in Quebec.
mom kit

Take a look at your baby’s immunization record, as all the vaccines he or she has received should be recorded there. Also check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse to make sure your baby's vaccines are up to date. Digital resources such as the CANImmunize app can provide further assistance with managing your baby’s immunization records. You can also ask your doctor for a Prevnar Parent Toolkit to help you keep track. Kits are not available in Quebec.mom kit

What do I do if my child has missed a vaccine?

If your child has missed a scheduled vaccine, they could be at risk. Book an appointment with your doctor's office or public health office as soon as possible. They can help you figure out which vaccines your child has already had and which ones are needed.
Next, sign-up to our reminder service and let us help you remember the next time your child needs a dose of Prevnar 13.

milestone cards

Capture every moment! Babies grow up so fast! Capture their milestones and learn about your baby’s incredible abilities as they grow with your own set of milestone cards that you can print at home! Get your own set Download now

Prevnar 13 safety information

Prevnar 13 should not be used if your child is allergic (hypersensitive) to the active substances, to any other ingredients, or to any other vaccine that contains diphtheria toxoid.

  • Take special care with Prevnar 13:
  • If your child has any present or past medical problems after any dose of Prevnar 7 or Prevnar 13
  • If your child is sick with a high fever
  • If your child has any bleeding problems

Prevnar 13 will only protect against diseases caused by the types of Streptococcus pneumoniae covered by the vaccine. As with any vaccine, Prevnar 13 will not protect 100% of those who receive the vaccine.
Following vaccination with Prevnar 13, children may experience decreased appetite, irritability, drowsiness/increased sleep, restless or decreased sleep, fever, redness, pain, tenderness (including impaired movement), swelling or hardness at the vaccination site, hives, diarrhea, vomiting and rash.
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about vaccination with Prevnar 13.
Prevnar (Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine) has been replaced with Prevnar 13 and is no longer available in Canada.