Pneumococcal vaccines

What is pneumococcal?

Pneumococcus is a germ (bacterium) which can cause pneumonia, meningitis and some other infections.  Pneumococcal infections can affect anybody, but older people and people with long-term medical conditions are at increased risk of developing them.  Some pneumococcal infections are more serious than others.

The vaccines

There are two types of vaccine available to protect against pneumococcal infections.  One is called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) (Prevenar13) which is the vaccine used to routinely immunise babies.  It can also be given to children and adults.

The second type of vaccine is called pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) (Pneumovax 23).  This vaccine is suitable for the immunisation of adults and of children over 2 years of age.

Pneumococcal vaccines help to protect against infections such as pneumonia and meningitis.  They stimulate the body the body’s immune system to make antibodies against pneumococcal infections.  These antibodies then help protect you from illness should you become infected with pneumococcal bacteria.

 

Before you are given pneumococcal vaccine, make sure your doctor knows:

  • if you have been unwell recently, or if you have a high temperature (fever)
  • if you have previously had an allergic reaction to a vaccine or to any other medicine
  • if you have a condition that makes you bleed more than is normal, such as haemophilia
  • if you have a weakened immune system. This may be the result of an illness or taking medicines
  • if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • if you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines
Before you are given the vaccine, ask to read the manufacturer’s printed information leaflet.  The manufacturer’s leaflet will give you more information about the vaccine and will tell you about any side effects which you may experience from having it.  If you have any questions about the vaccine, ask your doctor or nurse for advice. You will be given one dose of the vaccine.  It may be given at the same time as some other vaccines, such as the flu (influenza) vaccine but it will be given as a separate injection.

Most adults over 65 and over will be given a single one-off dose of pneumococcal vaccine.  Some people with kidney problems or immune system problems or immune system problems may need a “booster” dose every five years.  Your doctor will advise you on this. The vaccine is given by injection into a muscle, or an injection underneath your skin.

Along with their useful effects, vaccines like most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects, although not everyone experiences them.  Pneumococcal immunisation often causes no problems, but the information below contains some of the side effects which may occur.
The most common side effects are tenderness at the site of the injection, a raised temperature (mild fever), feeling tired, and head/muscle aches.  These should soon pass but if they do not, ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller or consult your GP or practice nurse. You will normally be asked by the doctor or nurse to wait several minutes after the immunisation to make sure that you do not react badly to the vaccine.  Although allergic reactions are extremely rare, you should seek urgent medical advice if you become breathless, or if any swelling or a rash develops within a few days of the immunisation.
You can find further information on the pneumococcal vaccines here: Pneumococcal vaccine – NHS