Pneumococcal vaccination

Making an appointment for a vaccination

To make an appointment for pneumococcal vaccination, click on the button below.

You can also make an appointment by calling 1 877 644‑4545 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

Nunavik region

If you are in the Nunavik region, call your health centre . If you are in the Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie-James region, visit the website of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay .

Pneumococcal vaccination can be given at any time of the year.

Who can get the vaccine

Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended and free for people who are at greater risk of complications. People who are not listed below must pay to receive this vaccine. To find out how much this vaccine costs, contact your medical clinic or pharmacy. These people will not receive a refund for this vaccine.

The number of doses and the vaccine vary with a person’s age and health.

Children

Pneumococcal vaccination is free for:

children aged from 2 to 59 months
children aged from 5 to 17 years who have one of the following diseases or conditions:
- heart disease
- lung disease (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis)
- asthma requiring regular medical attention
- kidney disease
- diabetes
- absent or dysfunctional spleen
- liver disease (e.g., hepatitis)
- cochlear implant
- chronic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak
- medical condition with decreased clearance of respiratory secretions or a risk of aspiration
- weakened immune system (owing to cancer, for example)

Adults

Pneumococcal vaccination is free for:

People aged 65 years and older
People living with one of the following diseases, conditions or situations:
- heart disease
- lung disease (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis)
- asthma requiring regular medical attention (only people aged 50 years and older)
- kidney disease
- diabetes
- absent or dysfunctional spleen
- liver disease (e.g., hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcoholism)
- cochlear implant
- chronic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak
- medical condition with decreased clearance of respiratory secretions or a risk of aspiration
- homelessness
- current and regular inhalation or injection of hard drugs along with deteriorating health or precarious living conditions
- weakened immune system (owing to cancer, for example)

Benefits of vaccination

Vaccination is the best protection against serious pneumococcal infections and their complications.

To find out more, see the information on how vaccines work.

Pneumococcal vaccines

Québec has 2 types of pneumococcal vaccines:

pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine: This vaccine protects against the 23 most common types of pneumococcal infection.
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine: Conjugate vaccines protect against the most common types of pneumococcal infection.

Reactions to vaccination

Some reactions may occur following vaccination:

Possible reactions to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine;
Possible reactions to the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine .

Possible reactions to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

Some reactions (side effects) may be caused by the vaccine, such as redness at the injection site. Other problems may arise by chance and are unrelated to vaccine, such as a cold, gastroenteritis or headache.

The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is safe. Most reactions are minor and short-lived.

Nature and frequency of possible reactions to the vaccine
Frequency	Possible reactions to the vaccine
In most cases (more than 50% of people)	Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site for at least 48 hours
Often (less than 10% of people)	Mild or moderate fever, muscle pain, headache
Very rarely (less than 1 person in 10,000)	Pain, redness and severe swelling at the injection site, high fever, discomfort, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, skin rash

Possible reactions to the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is safe. In most cases, it does not cause any reaction.

Nature and frequency of possible reactions to the vaccine
Frequency	Possible reactions to the vaccine
Very often (less than 50% of people)	Pain, redness and swelling at injection site In children: mild fever, irritability, loss of appetite, sleep changes In adults: headache, muscle pain, joint pain, shivers, skin rash, diarrhea, vomiting
Often (less than 10% of people)	In children: moderate fever, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash In adults: mild fever
Sometimes (less than 1% of people)	In children, redness and swelling larger than 7 cm at the injection site In infants: high fever, febrile seizures (convulsions caused by fever), unusual or persistent crying In adults: swollen lymph nodes, allergic reaction
Rarely (less than 1 person in 1,000)	In children: episodes similar to fainting (paleness, weakness, lack of reaction), allergic reaction

What to do after vaccination

Guidelines to follow after vaccination

Wait 15 minutes before leaving the premises where you received the vaccine. If an allergic reaction occurs, the symptoms will appear a few minutes after the vaccination.

If you feel side effects, immediately inform the person who gave you the vaccine. That person will be able to treat you on the spot.

Guidelines to follow at home

If you experience redness, pain or swelling at the injection site, place a cold damp compress over the affected area.

Use fever or pain medication if needed.

When to seek medical attention

See a doctor if one of the following situations applies to you:

You experience serious or unusual symptoms.
Your symptoms get worse not better.
Your symptoms last over 48 hours.

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