How Often Do You Need a Pneumonia Vaccine?

Because there are two types of pneumonia vaccine (Prevnar 13® and Pneumovax®), certain factors will influence how often you need to get vaccinated. For each vaccine, there is only one standard recommended dosage, although the precise schedules may vary, depending on your age and risk factors.
 
Pneumovax is typically given as a single injection, but a second dose may be recommended in some cases. This vaccine is generally recommended for adults over the age of 65. Prevnar 13 is the pneumonia vaccine most often recommended for children; with these products, dosing guidelines call for up to four injections.
 
The ideal vaccination schedule for Prevnar 13 is as follows:
 
  • First dose -- 2 months old
  • Second dose -- 4 months old
  • Third dose -- 6 months old
  • Fourth dose -- 12 to 15 months old.
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In 2012, Prevnar 13 was also approved for use in adults age 50 and older. In this case, it is given as a single shot.
  
(If you'd like to read more about pneumonia vaccines and how often they are needed, click Pneumonia Vaccine Dosage. This article offers more details on when and how to get vaccinated, including dosing schedules for children.)
 
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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