This vaccine helps protect young children (e.g., infants and toddlers) against serious infections (e.g., meningitis, pneumonia, chronic ear infections) due to certain bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae).

Though this vaccine may be used in children until the age of 9 years, another form of this vaccine should be used if the child is older than 2 years and has certain medical conditions (heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, diabetes, spleen problems, sickle cell anemia, HIV). Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Read the Vaccine Information Statement available from your health care provider before receiving the vaccine. If you have any questions, consult your health care provider.

This vaccine is injected into a muscle by a health care professional as directed by your doctor. This vaccine should not be injected under the skin or into a vein. Doing so may increase the risk of side effects. Before using, shake the vaccine well. When injected into a muscle, this vaccine should be injected into the outside of the thigh in infants or into either the back of the upper arm or the outside of the thigh in toddlers.

The child may receive up to 4 injections. The number of injections that are given depends on the age of the child.

If the child is receiving this vaccination before spleen surgery or before receiving cancer chemotherapy or other drugs that decrease the immune system function, it should be given at least 2 weeks before these procedures to be effective. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Do not mix with other vaccines in the same syringe. After shaking, this vaccine is normally white in color. Before using, check this product visually for discoloration. If present, do not use the liquid.

Injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, swelling, hard lump), muscle/joint aches, or fever may occur. Ask your doctor if the child should take a fever/pain reducer (e.g., acetaminophen) to help treat these symptoms. Nausea or diarrhea may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to the child is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: seizures.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US, you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using this vaccine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if the child is allergic to it; or to diphtheria toxoid; or to latex or dry natural rubber that can be found in the vial stopper; or if the child has any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist the child's medical history, especially of: vaccination/immunization history, recent illness/fever, bleeding problems (e.g., low platelets).

This vaccine is not recommended for use in adults or in children older than 9 years.

This vaccine is not recommended for use in adults. Therefore, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. This vaccine is not recommended for use in a nursing mother.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring the child for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products the child may use, especially of: "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin or heparins), cancer chemotherapy drugs, corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone, prednisone), drugs that weaken the immune system (e.g., cyclosporine, efalizumab, tacrolimus).

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

It is important to understand the risks and benefits of vaccinations. Discuss this with your doctor.

There are different types of pneumonia vaccines. Do not switch types without first talking to your doctor.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the need for other vaccines to prevent possibly severe illness (e.g., flu shots).

Make sure all of your doctors know the child has received this vaccine. Make sure a note is placed in the child's medical record of having received this vaccine.

It is important to receive each vaccination as scheduled. Be sure to ask when each dose should be received and make a note of the schedule.

Store in a refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised March 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.