Georgetown-
Maternal and Child Health Unit will be launching the PRENEVAR (pneumococcal 13- valent conjugate vaccine). PCV13 replaces a previous conjugate vaccine (PCV7), which protected against 7 pneumococcal types. In Guyana, this will replace the PCV 7 which was in use from 2009.
The new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) protects against 13 strains of pneumococcal infections. These bacteria types are responsible for most severe pneumococcal infections among children.
PCV13 is given to infants and toddlers, to protect them when they are at greatest risk for serious diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria e.g. pneumonia, ear infections, meningitis (infection of the covering of the brain).
