Pneumococcal vaccination

What are pneumococci?

Pneumococcal disease is a collective term for infections caused by the pneumococcal bacterium. There are more than 90 different types of this bacterium. Infections can range from mild respiratory symptoms to serious conditions such as pneumonia, meningitis and blood poisoning. You can also carry pneumococci without becoming ill. 

Children under the age of 2 and people over the age of 65 are particularly at risk of developing a severe form of the disease.

How do you contract pneumococcal disease?

You can catch pneumococci from someone else. This happens through saliva and snot. For example:

• Someone with pneumococci sneezes or coughs near you. You then breathe in tiny droplets of saliva or mucus through the air. This is how the pneumococci enter your nose, mouth, throat or lungs.
• Someone with pneumococci sneezes or coughs into their hands and then shakes your hand. If you touch your eyes, mouth or nose with that hand, the pneumococci will enter your body.
• You kiss or hug someone with pneumococci.

Vaccination

The pneumococcal vaccination protects against 20 types of the bacterium and helps the body produce antibodies, reducing the risk of serious infection. The jab is particularly important for young children under the age of 2, adults aged 65 and over, and people with weakened immune systems. For children, the vaccination is part of the basic vaccination schedule and is free of charge. Adults between the ages of 65 and 80 can also receive it free of charge under certain conditions.

Everyone who turns 60 also receives an invitation from their GP for the pneumococcal jab, which is usually given in the autumn. Often, one jab is enough for long-term protection.