How should we determine what pneumococcal vaccine(s) are needed for our high-risk pediatric patients?

All children with risk factors for pneumococcal disease or its complications should be vaccinated on time with either PCV15 or PCV20. High-risk children who complete the pneumococcal vaccination schedule without a dose of PCV20 will require additional pneumococcal vaccination. The vaccination needed after completion of the routine series (with PCV13, PCV15, or PCV20) depends on the pneumococcal vaccine product available, the child’s age, specific type of risk factor, and past pneumococcal vaccination history.

There are four resources that can help you determine what pneumococcal vaccinations are recommended for a specific high-risk child:

• From CDC:
  • www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/hcp/who-when-to-vaccinate.html, or
  • PneumoRecs VaxAdvisor Mobile App: www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/hcp/vaccine-recommendations/app.html
• From Immunize.org:
  • Recommendations for Pneumococcal Vaccines Use in Children and Teens, at www.immunize.org/wp-content/uploads/catg.d/p2016.pdf
  • Standing orders template for pneumococcal vaccination of children and teens, at www.immunize.org/wp-content/uploads/catg.d/p3086.pdf