Drug information

Audio
Download files:
pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccines.mp3
Pronounce:
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines
Brand Name
Vaxneuvance, Prevnar 20, Capvaxive
Other Names
pneumococcal 15-valent conjugate vaccine, pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate vaccine, pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate vaccine, PCV15, PCV20, PCV21
Drug Class
Vaccines

What are pneumococcal conjugate vaccines? What are pneumococcal conjugate vaccines?

What are pneumococcal conjugate vaccines?

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are products used for the prevention of disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. There are three available pneumococcal conjugate vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (15-valent) (also known as PCV15 or Vaxneuvance)
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (20-valent) (also known as PCV20 or Prevnar 20)
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (21-valent) (also known as PCV21 or Capvaxive)

Streptococcus pneumoniae infection can cause different types of illness, including community-acquired pneumonia. Community-acquired pneumonia can be an opportunistic infection (OI) of HIV. An OI is an infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in people with weakened immune systems—such as people with HIV—than in people with healthy immune systems. To learn more about OIs, read the HIVinfo What is an Opportunistic Infection? fact sheet.

The Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Adults and Adolescents With HIV and/or the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in Children With and Exposed to HIV include recommendations on the use of PCV15, PCV20, and PCV21 in people with HIV.

What should I tell my health care provider before receiving a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine? What should I tell my health care provider before receiving a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?

What should I tell my health care provider before receiving a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine?

Before receiving a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, tell your health care provider:

  • If you or your child is allergic to any ingredients in PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21; diphtheria toxoid; or any other medicines. Tell your health care provider if you or your child has ever had any reactions to a previous dose of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
  • About any medical conditions you or your child has or has had, including HIV or any other conditions that weaken the immune system.
  • If you or your child takes medicines that might weaken the immune system, such as steroids or immunosuppressants.
  • If your child was born prematurely.
  • About any health conditions that may prevent you or your child from receiving medicine by injection.
  • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits of receiving a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine during pregnancy.
  • If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. For mothers with HIV in the United States, the Guideline recommends speaking with your health care provider to discuss options for feeding your baby. Mothers with suppressed viral load have a less than 1% chance of transmitting HIV to their baby via their own milk. Although most medicines are safe to use while breastfeeding, some medicines should be avoided. Always let your health care provider know about all the medicines and supplements you are using before you start breastfeeding.
  • About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you or your child are taking or plan to take. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines may affect the way other medicines or products work, and other medicines or products may affect how pneumococcal conjugate vaccines work. Ask your health care provider if there are interactions between the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine you or your child will be receiving and the other medicines you or your child take.

How are pneumococcal conjugate vaccines given? How are pneumococcal conjugate vaccines given?

How are pneumococcal conjugate vaccines given?

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are given by a health care provider as an injection into the muscle.

Adults with HIV who have never received a pneumococcal vaccine or do not know their vaccination history usually need one dose of either PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21. If PCV15 is used, one dose of pneumococcal vaccine, polyvalent (also called PPSV23 or Pneumovax 23) is usually given at least 8 weeks later.

In adults with HIV who have previously started or completed a pneumococcal vaccination series, your health care provider will determine what additional doses may be needed.

The number of PCV15 or PCV20 doses recommended in children with HIV is based on age and vaccination history. Your child’s health care provider will help to determine how many doses your child needs and when the dose(s) should be given.

Read any printed information that your health care provider gives you about PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21.

What side effects can pneumococcal conjugate vaccines cause? What side effects can pneumococcal conjugate vaccines cause?

What side effects can pneumococcal conjugate vaccines cause?

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines may cause side effects that can be mild or serious. To learn about possible side effects of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, see the FDA drug labels for pneumococcal 15-valent conjugate vaccine injection, pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate vaccine injection, and pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate vaccine injection or talk to your health care provider or pharmacist. Tell your health care professional if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some side effects.

You may report vaccine side effects using the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System online.

Where can I find more information about pneumococcal conjugate vaccines? Where can I find more information about pneumococcal conjugate vaccines?

Where can I find more information about pneumococcal conjugate vaccines?

Last Reviewed: August 11, 2025