Travel Health and Vaccines Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Randy P Prescilla, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Pneumococcal-7 Vaccine

This vaccine will help prevent diseases caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also called pneumococcal disease. This vaccine differs from the pneumococcal-23 vaccine that is typically given to adults.

Meningitis, blood infections, and pneumonia are some serious examples of this infection. Likewise, these diseases are some of the most invasive (aggressive and spreads throughout the body) infections in children.

• The pneumococcal-7 vaccine is recommended for all children 2-23 months of age and also for certain children 24-59 months of age who are at high risk (for example, those with sickle cell anemia, AIDS, or chronic disease, or who have had their spleen removed). The vaccine is to be given together with the other routine shots at ages 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months. The number of doses depends upon the age at which the first dose is given.



• More information is available from the American Academy of Pediatrics.