Prevnar

Prevnar is a vaccine used for preventing invasive pneumococcal disease and certain types of ear infections. It is designed for infants and toddlers but can also be used in older children who did not receive the vaccine earlier. The vaccine is given as one to four doses, depending on the age of the first vaccination (the older the child, the fewer doses that are given).

Prevnar Vaccine Information

What Is Prevnar?

Prevnar^® (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) is a childhood vaccine approved to prevent the following infections:

Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) -- a group of potentially life-threatening diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, such as bacterial meningitis and bacteremia
Ear infections caused by certain strains of S. pneumoniae.

(Click Prevnar Uses for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)

Thimerosal Content and Other Concerns

Prevnar does not contain thimerosal (a mercury-containing preservative). Parents who are concerned about exposing their children to thimerosal can be confident that this vaccine has no thimerosal (not even trace amounts). Some parents are concerned about aluminum content of vaccines; Prevnar contains 0.125 mg of aluminum per dose.

This vaccine is not made from human fetal components or animal components, as some vaccines are.

Who Makes Prevnar?

Prevnar is made by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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