Disease it protects from

The PNEU-C20 vaccine protects against 20 strains (types) of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae that cause pneumococcal disease.

Who should get this vaccine

Getting this vaccine depends on your age, risk of serious disease, and whether you have already had pneumococcal vaccines.

Your healthcare provider may recommend you get this vaccine if:

• You are age 65 years or older.
• You are age 2 months to 64 years and have a high risk of serious pneumococcal disease because of certain health problems (see below).
• You are an Indigenous person.
• You live in a care facility, such as a continuing care home.
• You smoke or vape.
• You live in a home with poor indoor air quality, like if you use a wood-burning stove or live with someone who smokes inside the home.
• You have an alcohol or substance use disorder.
• You experience houselessness.
• You work a job with a lot of exposure to metal fumes, such as a welder.

Health problems that put you at high risk of serious pneumococcal disease include:

• spleen that was removed or does not work well
• heart, lung, liver, or kidney problems
• long-term (chronic) leak of brain and spinal fluid
• brain or nerve conditions that make it hard to clear saliva and mucus from the mouth or throat
• cochlear implant
• diabetes
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• weak immune system because of disease or medicine
• sickle cell disease
• stem cell or solid organ transplant

Who may not be able to get this vaccine

You may not be able to get this vaccine if:

• You have an allergy to any part of the vaccine. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any allergies you may have.
• You had a severe (serious) or unusual side effect after this vaccine or one like it.

If either of these apply, check with your healthcare provider before you get the vaccine.

Although you can get the vaccine if you have a mild illness, such as a cold or fever, it is best to stay home until you are feeling better to prevent spreading your illness to others.

Doses

If you can get this vaccine, the number of doses you need depends on your age.

Most people age 25 months or older need 1 dose.

Children age 24 months and younger need more than 1 dose, depending on their age when they start this vaccine. Because they are at high risk of getting very sick from pneumococcal disease, it is recommended to get this vaccine on schedule and not delay it.

If your child hasn't had all doses of pneumococcal vaccine as part of their routine immunizations, the PNEU-C20 vaccine can be used to complete their series.

If your child has completed their pneumococcal vaccine series using a different pneumococcal vaccine, they are recommended to get 1 dose of PNEU-C20.

Ask your healthcare provider how many doses your child needs.

Other vaccines that protect against the same diseases

Pneumococcal conjugate 15 vaccine (PNEU-C15) protects against 15 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease. It is part of Alberta's routine immunization schedule for children who are not at high risk for serious pneumococcal disease.

Pneumococcal conjugate 21 vaccine (PNEU-C21) protects against 21 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. It is not available free of charge in Alberta.

Get the vaccine

You can get the vaccine at your local public health or community health centre. You may also be able to get it from your doctor or pharmacist.

PNEU-C20 and other vaccines

You can get a PNEU-C20 vaccine at the same time, any time before, or any time after most vaccines. Check with your healthcare provider about when you can get the PNEU-C20 vaccine if you have had another pneumococcal vaccine, because there is a waiting period.

How well it works

The PNEU-C20 vaccine protects against 20 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease.

How well the vaccine works is different for each type of bacteria. The PNEU-C20 vaccine may provide better protection than the other pneumococcal conjugate vaccines that protect against fewer types of bacteria.

Immunization is the best way to protect yourself from getting pneumococcal disease.

Safety

Vaccine safety is a top priority. Canada uses extremely safe vaccines. Learn more about vaccine safety in Canada, including how vaccines are monitored for continued safety, and ingredients in vaccines.

Side effects

There can be side effects from the PNEU-C20 vaccine, but they tend to be mild and go away in a few days. Side effects may include:

• redness where you had the needle that may look red on lighter skin or purple on darker skin
• swelling or feeling sore where you had the needle
• feeling tired
• sleeping more or less than usual
• a headache
• a fever or chills
• body aches or sore joints
• getting easily upset
• not feeling hungry or not wanting to eat (poor appetite)
• vomiting (throwing up) or loose stool (diarrhea)
• rash

At least 1 out of 100 people who got this vaccine reported 1 or more of these side effects. In some cases, it is unknown if the vaccine caused these side effects.

It is important to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after your vaccine. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms.

It is rare to have a serious side effect after a vaccine. Call Health Link at 811 to report any serious or unusual side effects.

How to manage side effects

• To help with soreness and swelling, put a cool, wet cloth over the area where you had the needle.
• There is medicine to help with fever or pain. Check with your healthcare provider if you're not sure what medicine or dose to take. Follow the directions on the package.
• Some people with health problems, such as a weak immune system, must call their healthcare provider if they get a fever. If you've been told to do this, call your healthcare provider even if you think the fever is from the vaccine.

There can be mild, short-term side effects after getting a vaccine. Find tips to manage these side effects at home.