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Pneumococcal vaccination

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

Vaccination against pneumococcal infections is recommended and free for the following groups:

children age 2 to 59 months;
people age 65 or older;
some people who are at greater risk of complications.

People for whom vaccination is not recommended must pay to get 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.

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

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines protect against the most common types of pneumococcus.

Reactions to vaccination

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 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.