After the Pneumococcal Vaccine: How to Care for Your Child

The pneumococcal vaccine (PCV 13) helps prevent infections by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that can affect the lungs, blood, and brain. The vaccine is recommended for all children under 2 years old, and for people 2 years or older with some kinds of medical problems.

• If your health care provider says it's OK, you can give medicine for soreness where the shot was given or for fever. Use these medicines exactly as directed:

  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand)

  • OR

  • ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Do not give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old.

• Children should not take aspirin. It can lead to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness.

• Place a cool, wet washcloth on the area where the shot was given to ease soreness, redness, or swelling. Place it for 10 to 15 minutes every few hours.

• Let your child rest if they seem tired.

• Let your child eat and drink as usual.

• Go to all follow-up health care provider visits.

Your child:

• gets a rash 

• has a low fever (around 100.4°F [38°C]) more than 2 days after getting the vaccine

• has a fever of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher

• is very fussy and can't be comforted

• has redness or swelling at the shot site for more than 2 days

Your child:

• is acting very sick

• has a seizure

Call 911 or go to the ER right away if your child has any signs of a serious allergic reaction. These can include hoarseness, wheezing, trouble breathing, hives (red, raised spots), paleness, weakness, dizziness, or a fast heartbeat.

How does the pneumococcal vaccine work? After getting the vaccine, the body makes antibodies against pneumococcal germs. Antibodies are special proteins that lock on to germs to fight infections. If the pneumococcal germ gets into the body again, the antibodies recognize it and fight off the infection before it makes the person sick.

What are the possible side effects from the pneumococcal vaccine? Kids may have redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given. A child also might have a fever after getting the shot. There is a very small chance of an allergic reaction with any vaccine.