Delaying the PCV vaccine

Can the PCV vaccine be delayed?

Yes. A later start can mean fewer doses, with a longer unprotected window.

Delaying means a longer stretch during which your child has less protection than the CDC's on-time schedule would give, and often more visits overall. It does not make the vaccine less effective once the series is complete. Whether that trade-off suits your child is a decision for you and your child's healthcare practitioner.

What changes if you start later?

On the on-time schedule PCV is 4 doses. Under the CDC catch-up rules a healthy child who starts later needs as few as 1, and from 5 years of age generally none.

• starting at 24–59 months (healthy child) needs only a SINGLE dose.
• Healthy children who reach age 5 (60 months) do not routinely need PCV.

Healthy children who reach 5 years of age generally do not need PCV. Children with certain medical conditions are treated differently.

Compare all vaccines or read how delayed schedules work.

What are the risks of waiting?

The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccine for all children younger than 5.

• Pneumococcal bacteria can cause pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infection. The CDC says about 1 in 12 children who get pneumococcal meningitis die, and that it can cause developmental delay or hearing loss.
• Until the series is complete a child is only partly protected. Healthy children who reach age 5 do not routinely need the vaccine.

Sources: Pneumococcal disease symptoms and complications ; About pneumococcal disease .

What are the minimum ages and intervals for PCV?

A minimum age and a minimum interval are the earliest a dose counts. The CDC allows a 4-day grace period. Waiting longer than the minimum is always allowed.

How do you catch up on PCV?

The CDC says a vaccine series does not need to be restarted, however much time has passed between doses; doses already given still count. See the catch-up schedule guide.

• The number of doses depends on age at the first dose: 3 if started at 7 to 11 months, 2 at 12 to 23 months, and 1 at 24 to 59 months for a healthy child.
• Children with certain medical conditions follow a different schedule.

Is the PCV vaccine required for school?

In our state data, none of the 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC) lists PCV as a kindergarten requirement. Some may require it for childcare, and rules change, so check your state page.

Look up your state. Many states also allow provisional enrollment while a series is in progress.

Frequently asked questions

Can the PCV vaccine be delayed?

Yes. A later start can mean fewer doses, with a longer unprotected window. On the on-time schedule PCV is 4 doses. Under the CDC catch-up rules a healthy child who starts later needs as few as 1, and from 5 years of age generally none.

What are the risks of delaying the PCV vaccine?

Pneumococcal bacteria can cause pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infection. The CDC says about 1 in 12 children who get pneumococcal meningitis die, and that it can cause developmental delay or hearing loss. Until the series is complete a child is only partly protected. Healthy children who reach age 5 do not routinely need the vaccine.

What is the minimum age for the PCV vaccine?

The first dose of PCV can be given from 7 months. Later doses have their own minimum ages and minimum intervals after the previous dose, shown in the table on this page. The CDC counts a dose given up to 4 days before a minimum age or interval.

Is the PCV vaccine required for school?

In our state data, none of the 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC) lists PCV as a kindergarten requirement. Some may require it for childcare, and rules change, so check your state page.