Pneumococcal
This page provides information about the Pneumococcal immunisation.
Babies
The pneumonococcal (PCV) vaccine is given to Babies at two and four months of age with a booster dose given at 13 months.
PCV provides some protection against one of the most common causes of meningitis and also against other conditions such as severe ear infections (otitis media), and pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria. This vaccine does not protect against all types of pneumococcal infection and does not protect against meningitis caused by other bacteria or viruses.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine contains polysaccharide from seven common capsular types. They are conjugated to protein using similar manufacturing technology to that for Hib and meningococcal C conjugate vaccine.
Older Adults
The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 65 and over, and everyone with serious heart, chest, kidney and other long-term health problems. The vaccine can be given at any time and one injection provides years of protection.
If you are under 65 and don't know if you should have the pneumococcal vaccine, look in the pneumococcal leaflet for more information and speak to your doctor, practice nurse or health visitor.
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against infection with the streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium. It is the most common cause of serious pneumonia and can also cause meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
Contact
If you would like more information on immunisation, speak to your doctor, health visitor or nurse or call the NHS Helpline
0800 22 44 88
Textphone 18001 22 44 88
Mon-Sun 8am-10pm
Page updated: 19th September 2008