About pneumococcal Vaccinations for children

　From April 2024, the vaccine used to prevent pneumococcal infections in children will be added to two new types of pneumococcus from the conventional 13-valent vaccine (precipitated 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine). It will be changed to an added 15-valent vaccine (precipitated 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine).
For the time being, the 13-valent vaccine can also be used as a regular vaccination. In addition, inoculation target person and standard inoculation schedule are the same as conventional 13-valent vaccine.

[Reference] About 13-valent vaccine
From November 1, 2013, vaccine to be used to prevent pneumococcal infections in children will correspond to six types of pneumococci from the conventional 7-valent vaccine (precipitated 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine). It has been changed to a 13-valent vaccine (precipitated 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) with ingredients added.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the two major causes of bacterial infections in children. This bacterium is carried by many children in the back of the nose and sometimes causes bacterial meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia, sinusitis, and otitis media.
The incidence of purulent meningitis due to pneumococci was estimated to be 2.6 to 2.9 per 100,000 people under 5 years old, and it was estimated that around 150 people per year (*). Mortality rates and sequelae (hydrocephalus, hearing loss, mental retardation, etc.) are higher than meningitis due to hib, and about 21% have a poor prognosis.
*Based on the materials of the Vaccinations, Infectious Diseases Subcommittee of the Health and Welfare Science Council.

Vaccinations of pneumococcus for children is performed by the following methods for each age of initial vaccinations.
The following 1 method is used as a standard inoculation method. (The inoculation method of pneumococcal vaccine for 13-valent and 15-valent pneumococcal vaccine for children is the same.)

1 [Standard Schedule]
When inoculation is started within 2 months to less than 7 months after birth
We inoculate three times at intervals of 27 days or more, and do booster shot once after 12 months after birth at intervals of 60 days or more after the third inoculation.
(The standard for booster shot is 12-15 months old.)
※The second and third inoculations are performed by less than 24 months after birth.
(If you are more than 24 months old, do not do so, booster shot will be performed only once.)
In addition, if the second vaccination is more than 12 months old, the third vaccination will not be performed and booster shot will be given only once.

2 [When out of the standard schedule]
(a) When inoculation is started from 7 months to less than 12 months after birth
We inoculate twice at intervals of 27 days or more, and do booster shot once after 12 months after birth at intervals of 60 days or more after the second inoculation.
※The second vaccination is performed by less than 24 months after birth.
(If you are more than 24 months old, do not do so, booster shot will be performed only once.)

(b) When inoculation is started within 12 months to less than 24 months after birth
Inoculate twice at intervals of 60 days or more. (Use the first and second rounds of the pre-examination vouchers.)

(c) When inoculation is started between 24 months and under 5 years old
I'll give you a vaccination once. (The first pre-examination card is used for the first time.)

3 Ages available free of charge
2 months or older and less than 5 years old (until the day before the 5th birthday)

As a side reaction, the 13-valent vaccine may have redness (redness), swelling (swelling), induration (lumps), pain, and fever at the site of inoculation. The 15-valent vaccine may have redness (redness), induration (lumps), swelling (swelling), pain, fever, and disgusting at the site of inoculation.