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PCV Vaccine Injuries
Fighting for Vaccine Injury Victims – Get the Compensation You Deserve
The PCV vaccine protects against dangerous infections—but rare adverse reactions may qualify for compensation. The PCV vaccine, short for Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, protects against pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia, meningitis, and invasive pneumococcal infections. Caused by pneumococcal bacteria, these illnesses can affect the brain and spinal cord, lungs, and bloodstream. The Centers for Disease Control and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend routine pneumococcal vaccination for infants, older adults, and people with underlying medical conditions. The vaccine is part of the national effort in disease control and prevention to reduce life-threatening illness in vulnerable groups.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are considered safe, but like certain vaccines, they can cause adverse effects. These include shoulder injury, severe allergic reaction, or immune responses that may require medical attention. Some people experience symptoms after a previous dose, especially if they have chronic medical conditions or risk factors like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. If you experienced complications after a PCV vaccine, contact My Vaccine Lawyer to see if your case qualifies for compensation under the VICP.
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Hear Cheryl's Vaccine Injury Story
Cheryl, a former client of My Vaccine Lawyer, shares her experience with Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) following a flu shot. She describes the sudden onset of pain, limited shoulder mobility, and a long recovery process that led her to seek legal help from attorney Max Muller.
With his support, Cheryl filed a successful claim through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and received a settlement covering her medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. SIRVA symptoms typically include sudden pain within 48 hours of vaccination, restricted range of motion, and discomfort that can last for weeks or months.
Why PCV Vaccine Injuries Need a Vaccine Lawyer
Even though the PCV vaccine prevents serious pneumococcal infections, adverse reactions can still cause major health and financial stress. When your child develops high fever or seizure-like symptoms, or you experience nerve pain or joint issues after the shot, the recovery can be costly. Medical bills, missed work, and long-term treatment are real consequences. That is why the VICP exists—to protect the small number of patients injured by vaccines given in the interest of public health. Legal action is not about fault—it is about financial recovery when you are injured by a routine vaccine you trusted.
How the PCV Vaccine Works
The PCV vaccine uses purified bacterial material attached to a diphtheria toxoid to stimulate an immune response. It does not contain live bacteria, so it cannot cause disease. Instead, it trains your immune system to recognize the outer coating of pneumococcal bacteria—which helps you prevent pneumococcal disease like pneumococcal pneumonia, ear infections, or bacterial meningitis. It is given as a single dose or a multi-dose series depending on your age and medical conditions, especially for children younger than 5 and adults with certain risk conditions.
Who Should and Should Not Get the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, children, infants, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions—like kidney disease, lung disease, or HIV—should get the PCV vaccine. People with cerebrospinal fluid leaks, cochlear implants, or weakened immunity from transplants are also at increased risk and should stay on schedule. Those with a life threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose, people currently severely ill, or pregnant women may need to delay or skip this vaccine after consulting a vaccine provider.
Common Side Effects and Warning Signs
Most people tolerate the PCV vaccine well. The most common side effects include:
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Swelling, pain, or tenderness at the injection site
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Mild fever, irritability, or fatigue
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Decreased appetite
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Headache or muscle pain
More serious issues include:
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Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
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High fever
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Difficulty breathing or fast heartbeat
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Immune reactions in people with other risk factors
If symptoms worsen, see your healthcare provider right away. These may qualify as injuries under the VICP, especially when symptoms follow vaccination history closely.
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Vaccine Injuries That May Qualify for Compensation
Injuries eligible for VICP compensation after pneumococcal vaccination include:
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Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) – long-lasting arm pain
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Vasovagal syncope – fainting after the shot
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Severe allergic reactions – within four hours of the vaccine
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Seizure caused by high fever
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Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) – extremely rare, but possible
These conditions follow documented immunization practices and may result from routine pneumococcal vaccination, especially in children or adults with risk conditions. You do not need to prove fault—only that your injury is connected to the vaccine and medically documented. If you experienced serious side effects after a PCV vaccine, contact My Vaccine Lawyer. We will review your case and help you pursue compensation through the VICP.
What Treatment Looks Like—And What It Costs
Treatment depends on the type of illness caused after the pneumococcal vaccine. If symptoms are mild—like low-grade fever, rash, or fatigue—most people recover at home. However, when more serious complications appear, like shoulder pain, seizures, or an allergic reaction, medical care is often required. This can include anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, physical therapy, or hospitalization for monitoring. Children with reactions to the pneumococcal conjugate shot may need emergency care, especially if the injury affects the spinal cord or nervous system.
Costs can add up quickly. A hospital visit can exceed $2,000, especially when labs, imaging, and specialists are involved. If a child cannot attend school—or a parent must take time off work—financial stress increases. For adults, the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease can also bring additional follow-up expenses.
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What the Legal Process Covers—And How to Start
If you or your child experienced an injury after a pneumococcal vaccine, you may qualify for compensation through the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). This is a no-fault system—you do not sue your doctor or health care provider. Instead, you file a claim showing that your injury happened after a covered dose, and that it was likely caused by the vaccine. Claims must be supported by medical documentation, such as symptom onset, vaccination history, diagnosis, and treatment received.
To qualify, symptoms must appear within a recognized timeframe after a valid vaccine. Injuries from invasive disease, pneumonia caused by vaccine-strain infections, or complications from certain medical conditions may also qualify if properly supported. The program covers routine childhood vaccines and includes coverage for pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. If you or your child were vaccinated and experienced severe symptoms, Our PCV vaccine injury attorneys can help you pursue compensation through the VICP.
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The Legal Process for Vaccine Injury Cases
Vaccine injury cases follow a unique legal process. Since these claims are handled under the VICP, they require an attorney with experience in federal vaccine litigation. At My Vaccine Lawyer, we start with a free consultation to assess your claim. We then gather medical records, expert testimony, and supporting evidence to build a strong case. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
1. Contact Your Doctor
If you suffered a vaccine-related injury, adverse effects or worsening symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Still Have Questions?
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How many doses of the PCV vaccine are typically required?
For infants, the PCV vaccine is usually given as a four-dose series at 2, 4, 6, and 12–15 months of age. Older adults and individuals with certain medical conditions may only require a single dose, or an additional dose based on their vaccination history and risk level. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updates its guidelines regularly, so your health care provider should confirm what is right for you or your child.
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Can the PCV vaccine cause different side effects in adults and children?
Yes. While most common side effects like swelling, pain, or tenderness at the injection site occur in all age groups, older adults are more likely to report fatigue or mild fever, while children younger than 2 may experience fussiness or appetite loss. Possible side effects are typically short-term, but if you experience unusual symptoms—such as difficulty breathing or a life threatening allergic reaction—you should contact your vaccine provider immediately.
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What types of infections fall under invasive pneumococcal disease?
Invasive pneumococcal disease occurs when the bacteria spread to parts of the body that are normally germ-free, such as the blood, lungs, or brain and spinal cord. This includes pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, bacterial meningitis, and bloodstream infections. These forms of invasive disease are far more dangerous than sinus or ear infections and are precisely what the PCV vaccine is designed to prevent.
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How does the PCV vaccine support broader public health efforts?
The PCV vaccine helps reduce serious illness caused by pneumococcal bacteria across age groups, especially in vulnerable populations. By reducing pneumococcal infections, the vaccine limits hospitalizations, antibiotic use, and spread of resistant strains. It is a major focus of disease control and prevention globally, supported by programs like the Public Health Foundation and endorsed by national immunization bodies including the CDC and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
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If I’ve already been vaccinated, can I still get pneumococcal disease?
Yes, but the risk is much lower. The PCV vaccine protects against the most common serotypes that cause severe illness, but it does not cover every strain. Vaccinated individuals may still contract pneumococcal pneumonia or other infections, particularly if they have underlying medical conditions or weakened immunity. However, the severity and duration of illness are typically reduced, and vaccination still offers strong protection against life-threatening complications.
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