The pneumococcal vaccine is one of the most important tools to prevent serious respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, or ear infections. Below, we answer the most common questions about this vaccine, its benefits, and who should receive it.
What is pneumococcus?
Pneumococcus is a bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae. It can cause mild infections such as sinusitis, but also severe conditions like pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, and sepsis. Children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are especially at risk.
What type of vaccine is the pneumococcal vaccine?
There are two main types of vaccines:
- PCV13 (13-valent conjugate vaccine): protects against 13 strains of the bacteria. It is mainly used in children and adults with chronic diseases.
- PPSV23 (23-valent polysaccharide vaccine): mainly recommended for older adults and high-risk patients, as it covers a broader range of strains.
Who should get vaccinated?
- Children under 5 years old, especially those under 2.
- Adults over 60 years old.
- People with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart, lung, or kidney diseases.
- Immunocompromised patients (cancer, HIV, transplants).
Who should not get the vaccine?
- People with severe allergies to any component of the vaccine.
- Those who had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose.
- Anyone with a high fever or acute illness should wait until recovery before vaccination.
How often should the vaccine be administered?
- In children, PCV13 is given in multiple doses depending on age (at 2, 4, 6, and 12–15 months).
- In older adults, usually a single dose is enough, although high-risk individuals may receive PPSV23 afterward.
- Booster doses depend on age and health conditions.
What results can you expect from the vaccine?
The vaccine does not guarantee full immunity, but it significantly reduces the risk of infection and, most importantly, the chance of severe complications, hospitalization, or death. It also helps limit the spread of the bacteria in the community.
Side effects
The pneumococcal vaccine is safe, and side effects are generally mild:
- Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
- Mild fever or fatigue.
- Rarely, severe allergic reactions.
Cities where we offer vaccination services
At Doctor At Home México, we provide at-home pneumococcal vaccination in the following cities:
- Puerto Vallarta
- Cabo San Lucas
- San José del Cabo
- Mazatlán
- Culiacán
- Guadalajara
- Chapala
- Morelia
- San Luis Potosí
- Cuernavaca
- Mexico City
- State of Mexico
- Puebla
- Mérida
- Cozumel
- Playa del Carmen
- Cancún
- Monterrey
👉 For more details or to book your vaccination, visit our web menu.