Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding contraindications to receive PCV13 pneumococcal vaccination as follows:
- Individuals with life-threatening allergic reaction to previous administration of this vaccine should not receive any further doses of this vaccine.
- Before PCV13, another pneumococcal vaccine called PCV7 was being administered. PCV7 offered protection against infections caused by 7 different serotypes of pneumococcal bacteria. The protection coverage for pneumococcal vaccine was extended with introduction of PCV13, which offers protection against infections caused by 13 different serotypes of pneumococcal bacteria. All individuals with history of life-threatening allergic reaction to administration of PCV7 vaccine should avoid receiving a dose of PCV13 vaccine.
- PCV13 vaccine contains components of 13 different serotypes of pneumococcal bacteria conjugated to a nontoxic variant of diphtheria toxin. Individuals with history of allergic response to any vaccine containing the diphtheria toxoid, such as, DTaP could present with the same allergic response after receiving PCV13 vaccine and so, should avoid receiving one.
