Pneumococcol vaccination

The pneumococcal vaccination, also known as the pneumo jab, provides protection against pneumococcal infections.

Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium streptococcus pneumoniae, which is sometimes referred to as the pneumococcus bacterium. There are many different strains (types) of the bacterium that can cause a number of conditions, including:

• pneumonia - inflammation (infection) of the lungs
• septicaemia - a form of blood poisoning from an infection in the blood
• meningitis - an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

At-risk groups

A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. However, some groups of people have a higher risk of the infection developing into a serious health condition. These include:

• children who are under two years of age
• adults who are 65 years of age or over
• children and adults with certain chronic (long-term) health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition

Types of pneumococcal vaccine

There are two different types of pneumococcal vaccine:

• pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV):

  this is given to all children under two years of age as part of the childhood vaccination programme

• pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV):

  this is given to people who are 65 years of age or over and people at high risk

Go to Pneumococcal vaccination - how it works for more information about the two types of vaccine.

Over 90 different strains of the pneumococcal bacterium have been identified, with most serious infections caused by 8 - 10 strains.

The PCV protects against 13 strains of the pneumococcal bacterium and the PPV protects against 23 strains.

PPV is thought to be around 50 - 70% effective at preventing more serious types of pneumococcal disease.