Can the 13-valent pneumonia vaccine still be administered after six months?
The "13-valent pneumococcal vaccine" usually refers to the 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine. Whether it can still be administered after six months depends on the individual's specific age.
1. Can be given
If the first dose of the 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine is missed before six months of age, it generally cannot be administered as a primary dose. However, it may still be possible to proceed with booster doses. If it is a booster dose and the child is still under five years old despite being past six months of age, the vaccine can generally still be administered without affecting its protective efficacy.
2. Should not be given
If more than six months have passed and the individual is over five years old, vaccination is generally not recommended. This is to avoid reduced vaccine effectiveness or an increased risk of adverse reactions due to exceeding the recommended age for vaccination, which could negatively affect health.