Consider IPD protection when it matters¹

Early protection matters in the first year of life when the risk of pediatric IPD is the highest^1-⁵

The incidence of IPD in children was more than 2x as high in the first year of life than that of children 1-4 years of age combined.^1,a

The death rate due to IPD was at least 3x as high in infants than in any other pediatric age group.^1,b

^aBased on pooled analysis of national-level CDC ABC surveillance data from 2018–2022, representing ~35 million people surveyed annually in 10 states across the US. Regional variations may exist. IPD incidence rates were 10.3 in <1 year, 8.2 in 1 year, 4.0 in 2–4 years, 5.0 in 1–4 years, and 1.3 in 5–17 years.¹

^bBased on pooled analysis of national-level CDC ABC surveillance data from 2018–2022, representing ~35 million people in 10 states across the US. Regional variations may exist. Rates of death per 100,000 population for ABCs areas were 0.66 in <1 year, 0.20 in 1 year, 0.20 in 2–4 years, and 0.05 in 5–17 years. For each age group during 2018–2022, deaths within the ABCs areas and national estimates, respectively, were in <1 year: ABCs areas: 13 deaths in 1,968,185 persons, national estimate: ~123 deaths in 18,546,793 persons; in 1 year: ABCs areas: 4 deaths in 1,984,840 persons, national estimate: ~38 deaths in 18,801,879 persons; in 2–4 years: ABCs areas: 12 deaths in 6,139,312 persons, national estimate: ~115 deaths in 58,790,898 persons; in 5–17 years: ABCs areas: 14 deaths in 28,496,748 persons, national estimate: ~133 deaths in 271,331,691.¹

PCVs are CDC recommended as a 4-dose series given at 2, 4, and 6 months with a booster dose given at 12–15 months.²

Despite CDC’s recommendation, not all babies complete the 4-dose series.

of babies overall and

of the babies within the VFC Program

received 3 or fewer of the 4 recommended PCV doses by 2 years of age.^2,6,7,f

^cDose 1 may be given as early as 6 weeks of age.

^dThe recommended interval between doses is 4 to 8 weeks.

^eThe 4th dose should be administered at approximately 12 through 15 months of age and at least 2 months after the 3rd dose.

^fNIS-Child, a random digit-dialed telephone survey of parents/guardians of children aged 19–35 months that the CDC used to estimate the vaccination coverage with ACIP-recommended vaccines in the US among children born in 2020 and 2021.⁶

When the risk of pediatric IPD is highest, choose robust and early protection against IPD to help protect babies in the first year of life.^1-5

ABC, Active Bacterial Core; ACIP, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; IPD, invasive pneumococcal disease; PCV, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine; NIS-Child, National Immunization Survey – Child; VFC, Vaccines for Children.

Stay updated on serotypes

See immunogenicity data

Learn about special populations

View safety & tolerability data

References:

Data available on request from the Merck National Service Center via email at daprequests@merck.com. Please specify information package US-PVC-02072.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended child and adolescent immunization schedule for ages 18 years or younger, United States 2025. Updated November 21, 2024. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/downloads/child/0-18yrs-child-combined-schedule.pdf
Gierke R, Wodi P, Kobayashi M. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Pink Book). 14th edition. Chapter 17: Pneumococcal disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last reviewed August 2021. Accessed May 9, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/pinkbook/hcp/table-of-contents/chapter-17-pneumococcal-disease.html
Moraes-Pinto MI, Suano-Souza F, Aranda CS. Immune system: development and acquisition of immunological competence. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2021;97(S1):S59-S66. doi:10.1016/j.jped.2020.10.006
Wodi AP, Morelli V. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Pink Book). 14th edition. Chapter 1: Principles of vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last reviewed August 2021. Accessed May 9, 2024.
Hill HA, et al. Decline in Vaccination Coverage by Age 24 Months and Vaccination Inequities Among Children Born in 2020 and 2021 — National Immunization Survey-Child, United States, 2021–2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, pages 844–853.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Supplementary Table 1. Estimated vaccination coverage by age 24 months* among children born during 2020-2021,^† by selected vaccines and doses and health insurance status§ — National Immunization Survey-Child, United States, 2021-2023. MMWR. 2024;73(38). Accessed January 22, 2025. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/162213

Indications and Usage

VAXNEUVANCE^® (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine) is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F in individuals 6 weeks of age and older.

Select Safety Information

Do not administer VAXNEUVANCE^® (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine) to individuals with a severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any component of VAXNEUVANCE or to diphtheria toxoid.

Some individuals with altered immunocompetence, including those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a reduced immune response to VAXNEUVANCE.

Apnea following intramuscular vaccination has been observed in some infants born prematurely. Vaccination of premature infants should be based on the infant’s medical status and the potential benefits and possible risks.

The most commonly reported solicited adverse reactions in children vaccinated at 2, 4, 6, and 12 through 15 months of age, provided as a range across the 4-dose series, were: irritability (57.3% to 63.4%), somnolence (24.2% to 47.5%), injection-site pain (25.9% to 40.3%), fever ≥38.0°C (13.3% to 20.4%), decreased appetite (14.1% to 19.0%), injection-site induration (13.2% to 15.4%), injection-site erythema (13.7% to 21.4%), and injection-site swelling (11.3% to 13.4%).

The most commonly reported solicited adverse reactions in children 2 through 17 years of age vaccinated with a single dose were: injection-site pain (54.8%), myalgia (23.7%), injection-site swelling (20.9%), injection-site erythema (19.2%), fatigue (15.8%), headache (11.9%), and injection-site induration (6.8%).

The reported solicited adverse reactions in children 7 through 11 months of age who received 3 doses of VAXNEUVANCE were: fever ≥38.0°C (21.9%), irritability (32.8%), injection-site erythema (28.1%), somnolence (21.9%), injection-site swelling (18.8%), injection-site pain (18.8%), injection-site induration (17.2%), decreased appetite (15.6%), and urticaria (1.6%).

The reported solicited adverse reactions in children 12 through 23 months of age who received 2 doses of VAXNEUVANCE were: fever ≥38.0°C (11.3%), irritability (35.5%), injection-site pain (33.9%), somnolence (24.2%), decreased appetite (22.6%), injection-site erythema (21.0%), injection-site swelling (14.5%), and injection-site induration (8.1%).

Vaccination with VAXNEUVANCE may not protect all vaccine recipients.

Before administering VAXNEUVANCE, please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information also is available.

Indications and Usage Indications and Usage

VAXNEUVANCE^® (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine) is indicated for active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae

Select Safety Information Select Safety Information

Do not administer VAXNEUVANCE^® (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine) to individuals with a severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any component of VAXNEUVANCE or to diphtheria toxoid.

Some individuals with altered immunocompetence, including those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a reduced immune response to VAXNEUVANCE.

Vaccination with VAXNEUVANCE may not protect all vaccine recipients.

Before administering VAXNEUVANCE, please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information also is available.

Do not administer VAXNEUVANCE^® (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine) to individuals with a severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any component of VAXNEUVANCE or

Do not administer VAXNEUVANCE^® (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine) to individuals with a severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any component of VAXNEUVANCE or to diphtheria toxoid.

Some individuals with altered immunocompetence, including those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a reduced immune response to VAXNEUVANCE.

Consider IPD protection when it matters¹