Skip to content

Pneumococcal vaccine for babies - Pneumococcal vaccine for babies – Information for health professionals

Background

Pneumococcal meningitis is a notifiable disease. 

Pneumococcal disease is the term used to describe infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, of which there are many different serotypes. Some serotypes are carried without symptoms; others are associated with invasive disease. Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) primarily affects babies, very young children and older adults. 

The organism may spread locally to the sinuses or middle ear cavity, leading to sinusitis or otitis media. It may also affect the lungs, causing pneumonia, or spread to other parts of the body, resulting in invasive conditions such as bacteraemic pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. 

Transmission occurs via respiratory droplets, aerosol or direct contact with respiratory secretions of someone carrying the organism. The incubation period is not well defined but may be as short as one to three days. There is a seasonal variation in pneumococcal disease, with peak levels in the winter months. 

Eligibility for the vaccine 

The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) provides high levels of protection against the pneumococcal serotypes contained in the vaccine. 

Routine vaccination

  • Infants should be offered PCV13 (Prevenar 13®) as a single primary dose at 16 weeks with a booster dose at 12 months. 

Change to the timing of the first dose of PCV13 in the routine childhood immunisation schedule: 

From 1 July 2025, the timing of the first dose of PCV13 in the routine childhood immunisation schedule changed from 12 weeks to 16 weeks of age. 

To find out more about this change, please visit the ‘Childhood immunisations’ section on Frequently asked questions (access for NHS Healthcare staff) 

Additional vaccinations for those at risk 

Children in clinical risk groups will require additional pneumococcal vaccination depending on their: 

  • age when first diagnosed with a clinical risk condition  
  • age when presenting for vaccination 
  • vaccination status 
  • underlying condition 

Recent updates have been made to Welsh Health Circular WHC/2025/054 (17 December 2025) and the pneumococcal chapter of the Green Book (12 June 2025) regarding a pneumococcal vaccine product change. 

For the most up-to-date information on additional PCV vaccines given to babies in clinical risk groups, refer to: 

The Complete Routine Immunisation Schedule includes information about routine and vaccinations for those at risk. 

PCV vaccines

PCV vaccines are routinely given intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm or, for infants 1 year and under, into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. 

PCV13 (Prevenar 13®)

PCV13 contains polysaccharide from thirteen common capsular types. It is indicated for active immunisation for the prevention of invasive disease, pneumonia and acute otitis media caused by Streptococcus pneumonia.

PCV13 is an inactivated injectable vaccine and is presented as a suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe.

PCV20 (Prevenar 20®)

PCV20 is a Black Triangle product. The Black Triangle Scheme is used to identify new medicines and vaccines that are under additional monitoring. PCV20 contains polysaccharide from twenty common capsular types and is indicated for active immunisation for the prevention of pneumococcal disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

PCV20 is an inactivated injectable vaccine and is presented as a suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe.

Guidance on vaccine eligibility, dosing, and administration is available.

Summary of product characteristics

Additional information about PCV vaccines, including potential adverse events, can be accessed at: 

Schedule guidance in the pneumococcal: the green book supersedes the summary of product characteristics.

Reporting side effects of PCV vaccines 

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after vaccination is important. It helps monitor the safety and benefits of the medicine. You should report suspected adverse reactions of vaccines and medicines online at Yellow Card, by downloading the Yellow Card app, or by calling 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). 

New medicines and vaccines that are under additional monitoring have an inverted black triangle symbol (▼) displayed in their package leaflet and summary of product characteristics together with a short sentence explaining what the triangle means – it does not mean the medicine or vaccine is unsafe. You should report all suspected adverse reactions for these products. 

Guidance

Vaccination programme recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and Welsh Government policy can be found at the links below.

Welsh Health Circulars and Welsh Government letters

External resources 

UKHSA – Information for healthcare professionals about clinical risk groups:  

Training resources and events

Online courses and training materials about a number of vaccines and diseases can be accessed via the E-learning page. 

Further training information and resources are provided on the Training Resources and Events page. 

Clinical resources and information

Patient group directions (PGDs) and protocols

PGD templates for vaccines can be found on the Welsh Medicines Advice Service PGDs page.

Data and surveillance

Page last reviewed: 20th April 2026