What age group is the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) indicated for?

The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) is specifically indicated for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. This age group is critical because young children are at a higher risk for serious illness from pneumococcal infections due to their developing immune systems. The vaccination schedule is designed to provide protection at a time when these infections can be particularly severe.

In contrast to the other age groups listed in the choices, PCV13 is not targeted solely at newborns, nor is it indicated specifically for adults over 70 or for teenagers. Adults and teenagers may receive the Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) or other formulations, but these vaccines do not include PCV13 as their primary option. This clearly defines the target population for PCV13 and ensures that the vaccine effectively helps mitigate the risk of pneumococcal disease in young children.