OBJECTIVE: To review the immunogenicity, efficacy, and safety of the 13-valent 
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for use in pediatric patients.
DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (2000-September 2011) was conducted using the key 
words Streptococcus pneumoniae and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for clinical 
trials, limited to studies conducted in humans and published in English.
STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Randomized, controlled, multicenter trials 
were reviewed and included to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PCV13. 
Literature on the epidemiology and pathology of pneumococcal infections and 
recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 
were also reviewed.
DATA SYNTHESIS: PCV13 is approved for routine vaccination of all infants as a 
4-dose series at age 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months for children who previously 
received 1 or more doses of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), 
and for children with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for 
pneumococcal disease or its complications. PCV13 has comparable immunogenicity 
to the serotypes common with PCV7 and also provides protection against 6 
additional pneumococcal serotypes. PCV13 has also been shown to have a 
comparable adverse reaction profile to PCV7.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on published immunogenicity and safety data, as well as the 
recent recommendations by the ACIP for routine use in infants and indications 
for high-risk pediatric patients, PCV13 is a revised formulation of pneumococcal 
vaccine that should be included on pharmacy formularies.