Unwanted effects

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)

• common local and systemic effects: injection site reactions (pain, swelling, and redness), low-grade fever, irritability, somnolence, decreased appetite, fatigue, headache, and myalgia are commonly reported across PCV formulations (1)
• dose frequency tolerance: no increased local or systemic reactions are reported with repeated doses during the primary infant series, though a higher rate of transient tenderness can occur following subsequent booster doses (1)

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV23)

• common local effects: mild soreness and induration at the site of injection typically lasting one to three days (1)
• systemic reactions: less commonly, a low-grade fever may occur; severe systemic reactions are infrequent (1)
• antibody concentration correlation: local and systemic reactions are generally more common in individuals with higher baseline concentrations of antibodies to pneumococcal polysaccharides (1)

Allergic Reactions and Safety

• anaphylaxis: confirmed anaphylactic reactions involving pneumococcal vaccines are very rare (1)
• non-anaphylactic allergy: mild allergic conditions, such as isolated rashes, occur more commonly and do not constitute contraindications to future immunisation (1)

Reference:

1. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Pneumococcal: guidance and immunisation schedule. UKHSA Guidance. Updated 16 October 2026.