The pneumococcal vaccination, also known as the pneumo jab, protects against pneumococcal infections.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is sometimes referred to as the pneumococcus bacterium. The bacterium 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
Read more information about why pneumococcal vaccination is used.
At-risk groups
A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. However, some groups of people need the vaccination because they have a higher risk of an infection developing into a serious health condition. These include:
- children under two years of age (as part of the childhood vaccination programme)
- adults 65 years of age or over
- children and adults with certain chronic (long-term) health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition
Read more information about when the pneumococcal vaccine is used.
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 65 years of age or over, and those at high risk
Over 90 different strains of the pneumococcal bacterium have been identified, with the 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.
Read about how the pneumococcal vaccine works for more information about the two types of vaccine.
Things to consider before vaccination
In rare cases the vaccination may need to be delayed, or may not be safe to have. These are listed below.
- Allergic reactions - Inform your GP if you have had a bad reaction to any vaccination in the past. If you have had a confirmed anaphylactic reaction (a severe allergic reaction) to the vaccine, or any ingredient in the vaccine, you should not have it. However, if it was only a mild reaction, such as a rash, it is probably safe for you to have the vaccine.
- Being unwell - If you are mildly unwell at the time of the vaccination, it is still safe to have the vaccine. However, if you are ‘actively unwell’, for example, if you have a high temperature (fever), it is likely that the vaccination will be delayed. This is because it will be difficult to tell the difference between the symptoms of your condition and a bad reaction to the vaccine.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding - The pneumococcal vaccine is thought to be safe to receive during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As a precaution, if you are pregnant, you may be advised to wait until you have had your baby (unless the benefits of having the vaccine outweigh the risks to your child).
- Suppressed immune system - If you have a suppressed immune system, for example, because you have HIV or AIDS, you may need to have extra doses of the pneumococcal vaccination. This is because you may not produce enough antibodies (proteins that destroy disease-carrying organisms) to provide immunity after the standard dose of the vaccine. Ask your GP for more information about this.
Side effects
Although the pneumococcal vaccinations are considered safe and rarely cause problems, both the PCV and PPV vaccines can cause mild side effects including:
- a slightly raised temperature (mild fever)
- redness at the site of the injection
- hardness or swelling at the site of the injection
In rare cases, some people react badly to the vaccine and develop serious side effects. If you develop any unusual symptoms after having the vaccination, you should call your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
Read more information about the side effects of the pneumococcal vaccination.
