Which pneumococcal vaccine is typically given to children?

Which pneumococcal vaccine is typically given to children?

• A. PCV13 (Prevnar 13)
• B. PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23)
• C. Hib vaccine
• D. MMR vaccine

Answer: (A)

Pediatric pneumococcal vaccination uses a conjugate vaccine because this type of vaccine provokes a strong, T-cell–dependent immune response in infants and young children, leading to better immunologic memory. The vaccine given to children is PCV13 (Prevnar 13), which covers 13 pneumococcal serotypes and is given in a four-dose series starting at 2 months (at 2, 4, and 6 months, with a booster at 12–15 months). This conjugate approach is why young kids develop robust protection compared with polysaccharide vaccines. PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23) is a polysaccharide vaccine used mainly for older children with certain risk factors and for adults, not part of routine infant immunizations. Hib vaccine protects Haemophilus influenzae type b, not pneumococcus, and MMR vaccine protects measles, mumps, and rubella, not pneumococcus.

Pediatric pneumococcal vaccination uses a conjugate vaccine because this type of vaccine provokes a strong, T-cell–dependent immune response in infants and young children, leading to better immunologic memory. The vaccine given to children is PCV13 (Prevnar 13), which covers 13 pneumococcal serotypes and is given in a four-dose series starting at 2 months (at 2, 4, and 6 months, with a booster at 12–15 months). This conjugate approach is why young kids develop robust protection compared with polysaccharide vaccines.

PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23) is a polysaccharide vaccine used mainly for older children with certain risk factors and for adults, not part of routine infant immunizations. Hib vaccine protects Haemophilus influenzae type b, not pneumococcus, and MMR vaccine protects measles, mumps, and rubella, not pneumococcus.