Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV)
On this page:
PPSV for adults
PPSV for kids
General PPSV information
PPSV for adults
Pneumococcal 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) protects against serious infections caused by 23 type of pneumococcal infection. A maximum of two PPSV doses in a lifetime is all that is recommended. This vaccine is recommended for:
- All adults age 65 years or older, or
- Persons 2 through 64 years with any of the following:
- Chronic cardiovascular disease (e.g., CHF, cardiomyopathies)
- Chronic pulmonary disease (e.g., emphysema or COPD, including asthma)
- Cigarette smokers age 19 through 64 years
- Chronic liver disease, including persons with long-term alcoholism
- Diabetes mellitus
- CSF leaks
- Functional or anatomic asplenia (e.g., sickle cell disease or splenectomy)
- Immunosuppressive conditions (e.g., HIV infection, leukemia, congenital immunodeficiency, Hodgkin’s disease, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or generalized malignancy)
- Organ or bone marrow transplantation
- Therapy with alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or systemic corticosteroids
- Chronic renal failure or nephrotic syndrome
- Cochlear implants
- A second dose (revaccination) of PPSV is recommended for:
- Persons age 2 through 64 years with any of the following: functional or anatomic asplenia, immunosuppression, transplant, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome.
- Adults age 65 years or older who received the first dose prior to age 65 years.
| Spacing between first and second PPSV doses (revaccination) | |
| Age of patient: | Spacing between shots: |
Age 2 through 9 years |
3 years apart |
| Age 10 through 64 years | At least 5 years apart |
| Age 65 years or older | At least 5 years apart |
PPSV for kids
- Children under 2 years of age should get the PCV13 Vaccine (Prevnar).
- The PPSV vaccine is particularly recommended for high risk children 2 years and older with any of the following:
- Chronic cardiovascular disease (e.g., CHF, cardiomyopathies)
- Chronic pulmonary disease (e.g., emphysema or COPD, including asthma)
- Chronic liver disease, including persons with long-term alcoholism
- Diabetes mellitus
- CSF leaks
- Functional or anatomic asplenia (e.g., sickle cell disease or splenectomy)
- Immunosuppressive conditions (e.g., HIV infection, leukemia, congenital immunodeficiency, Hodgkin’s disease, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or generalized malignancy)
- Organ or bone marrow transplantation
- Therapy with alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or systemic corticosteroids
- Chronic renal failure or nephrotic syndrome
- Cochlear implants
- A second dose (revaccination) of PPSV is recommended for:
- Children 2 years and older with any of the following: functional or anatomic asplenia, immunosuppression, transplant, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome.
| Spacing between first and second PPSV doses (revaccination) | |
| Age of patient: | Spacing between shots: |
Age 2 through 9 years |
3 years apart |
| Age 10 through 64 years | At least 5 years apart |
General PPV information
- Pneumococcal Polysaccharide
(PPSV) Vaccine: What You Need to Know
CDC Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) in English and other languages. Attention: Non-MDH link
- PPSV
Vaccine (Pneumococcal Polysaccharide)
ACIP Recommendations, VIS, and general information about PPSV vaccine from the CDC. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Pneumococcal
(PPSV) Information
Immunization Action Coalition page including journal articles, recommendations, case histories, photos, and shortage information. Attention: Non-MDH link

