Prevenar® Vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Prevention

Prevenar is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that helps protect against infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. It is used to reduce the risk of invasive disease, pneumonia, and ear infections in eligible age groups. You can access clinic-ready supply with US delivery from Canada, and many patients compare options like Prevenar 13 without insurance when planning their care.

What Prevenar Is and How It Works

Prevenar® contains purified capsular polysaccharides from selected pneumococcal serotypes that are linked to a carrier protein. This design helps your immune system recognize these serotypes and develop protective antibodies. As a result, the vaccine supports prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease and certain pneumococcal pneumonias in indicated populations.

Border Free Health connects U.S. patients with licensed Canadian partner pharmacies; prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing.

As a class, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV13 targets 13 serotypes. A 20-valent option broadens serotype coverage in eligible adults and, where approved, in pediatrics. The treatment is given by intramuscular injection and should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Always review the official label for exact indications and schedules in your region.

Learn more about the disease area in our condition guides for Pneumococcal Infection and associated conditions like Pneumonia.

Who It’s For

This vaccine is indicated for prevention of pneumococcal disease in specific age groups and risk profiles as defined by the product label. In many regions, infants and young children receive a primary series, while certain older children and adults receive catch-up or single-dose schedules based on previous vaccination history. Prevenar 20 is commonly used in adults, and some jurisdictions have approved broader age use; follow local guidance.

People who should not receive this medicine include those with a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine, including diphtheria toxoid, or after a prior dose of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Vaccination may be deferred in individuals with a moderate or severe acute illness until recovery. Discuss your medical history with your prescriber, including allergy history and prior vaccines.

In children, protection also extends to outcomes like middle ear disease in some settings; see our overview of Ear Infection for context about otitis media.

Dosage and Usage

Administration is intramuscular, typically in the anterolateral thigh in infants and the deltoid in older children and adults. For infants, standard schedules generally include a multi-dose primary series with a booster; national schedules vary by country. For adults who are vaccine-naive, a single dose may be recommended depending on age and risk, with product selection guided by current recommendations. If sequential vaccination with other pneumococcal vaccines is indicated, your prescriber will determine timing and order per official guidance.

Do not shake vigorously. Inspect the syringe visually for particulate matter and discoloration before use, per label. The vaccine should be administered by a healthcare professional trained in managing rare allergic reactions. Consult the package insert for exact ages, dose intervals, and coadministration rules with other vaccines. If any uncertainty remains, defer to the official label and your clinician’s direction.

Strengths and Forms

Common presentations include single-dose prefilled syringes for clinic administration. Availability may include the 13-valent and 20-valent conjugate options depending on jurisdiction and supply. The product is typically supplied as a ready-to-use suspension in a prefilled device suitable for intramuscular injection.

Examples include Prevenar 13 0.5 mL prefilled syringe. Packaging, valency, and included needle accessories can vary by market and lot. Stock and valency availability may differ over time; confirm the specific presentation before you order.

Missed Dose and Timing

If a multi-dose series is interrupted, the next dose is generally given as soon as feasible without restarting the series. The exact catch-up plan depends on the child’s age and doses already received. Adults who miss a planned vaccination appointment should reschedule promptly. Your clinician will use local guidelines to complete the schedule appropriately. Wait times between doses, when applicable, are set by official recommendations; follow the label and your prescriber’s advice.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store this vaccine in the refrigerator as directed on the label. Keep it in the original carton to protect from light. Do not freeze. If the product has been frozen, it should be discarded. When transporting between clinics, maintain the cold chain as directed by healthcare standards. For personal travel with medical supplies, use an insulated container with cold packs and keep documentation handy.

Many clinics maintain temperature logs and use calibrated equipment. When appropriate, we emphasize temperature-controlled handling when required. Keep all medicines out of reach of children. Do not use beyond the expiration date. If you have questions about transporting or temporary storage, consult your healthcare professional and the package insert for product-specific limits and procedures.

The label may describe the preparation as a Prevenar 13 suspension for injection. Shake gently to resuspend as recommended in the instructions. Inspect for clarity and homogeneity before administration; do not use if you notice clumping or foreign particles.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

This product is supplied as a syringe, not a pen. Use aseptic technique, attach a compatible sterile needle if required, and administer intramuscularly. Do not recap used needles. Dispose of the syringe and needle immediately in an approved sharps container. Follow local regulations for sharps disposal and medical waste handling.

Benefits

This conjugate vaccine helps protect against invasive pneumococcal disease caused by vaccine serotypes. It can reduce the risk of bacteremia, meningitis, and certain pneumonias in indicated groups. For adults, options that cover more serotypes may simplify decision-making by providing broad coverage with a single appointment, when aligned with guidelines. Coadministration with other routine vaccines at separate sites can be considered per label, which may streamline clinic visits.

Side Effects and Safety

Common reactions are usually mild and resolve within a few days. These can include:

• Injection-site pain, redness, or swelling
• Fever, irritability, or drowsiness in infants
• Fatigue, headache, or muscle aches
• Decreased appetite or fussiness in young children

Less common effects can include chills, joint pain, or rash. Serious allergic reactions are rare but require immediate medical care. Fainting can occur after any injectable vaccination; patients should remain seated or lying down during and after administration as advised. People with bleeding disorders or on anticoagulants may have a higher risk of injection-site bleeding. If given with other vaccines, use separate sites and follow spacing guidance. Mention any prior doses of Prevnar 13 to your clinician to align the schedule.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Immunosuppressive therapies, including high-dose corticosteroids, chemotherapy, or advanced biologics, may reduce the immune response to vaccination. When coadministering with other vaccines, follow the label for site separation and any timing considerations. If both conjugate and polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccines are indicated, the sequence and interval are specified in official recommendations; your prescriber will advise the correct order. Tell your healthcare professional about all medicines and vaccines you receive, as well as any severe allergies.

What to Expect Over Time

After vaccination, your immune system begins building antibodies to the included serotypes. In multi-dose infant schedules, protection develops across the series, with a booster helping sustain response. Adults often receive a single dose when appropriate for age and risk. Mild local reactions may occur shortly after the shot and typically improve within several days. Keeping appointments, bringing records, and coordinating with your clinic helps ensure you complete the recommended schedule.

For respiratory health perspectives and prevention awareness, explore features like World Lung Day and Respiratory Care Week 2025. You may also appreciate seasonal tips in Healthy Lung Month.

Compare With Alternatives

Other pneumococcal vaccines include 15-valent conjugate options and the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine. Selection depends on age, prior vaccination, and risk factors, guided by national recommendations. Some adults may receive a single conjugate dose, while others may receive a sequence that includes a polysaccharide product. If your clinic cannot source one valency, your prescriber may consider an approved alternative based on current guidance.

For broader context across infectious disease prevention, you can browse our Infectious Disease category.

Pricing and Access

Many patients look for transparent options and Canadian value, with US shipping from Canada for clinic supply. Check availability and the Prevenar 13 price on the product page before you place an order with your prescription. Cash-pay totals vary by presentation and market conditions.

To review current seasonal offers, visit our Promotions page. For country-of-origin background, see Canada on the site.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply may vary by valency and pack. If your preferred presentation is temporarily unavailable, a prescriber may recommend a suitable alternative based on age and vaccine history. We also stock other routine vaccines; for example, see Gardasil® Gardasil 9 for HPV prevention needs.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates often include infants following national schedules, older adults, and individuals with certain chronic conditions or immune considerations. People with severe allergies to vaccine components should avoid this product. If your clinic plans multiple vaccinations, coordinating appointments and consolidating orders can reduce time and help with logistics. Keeping an updated immunization record and setting reminders for series completion can prevent missed doses.

Ask your prescriber about local recommendations, including whether a single conjugate dose is sufficient for your situation or whether a sequence is indicated. For families with several children on routine schedules, planning series visits in advance helps maintain adherence and may streamline travel and time away from work or school.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Which valency is right for my age and risk?
• Can I receive other routine vaccines at the same visit?
• What are the most common side effects, and how should I manage them?
• If I started a different pneumococcal vaccine, what schedule should I follow now?
• How should I handle a missed appointment in a multi-dose series?
• Are there any precautions with my current medicines or conditions?

Authoritative Sources

Pfizer: Prevenar Product Information

FDA DailyMed: Labeling Database

Health Canada: Drug Product Database

Ready to proceed? Add this vaccine to your cart for clinic supply with prompt, express shipping that Ships from Canada to US. Prescription required; information here is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always follow the official label and your clinician’s guidance.