The pneumococcal vaccine is very safe, although like all vaccinations it has some side effects.
It is not possible to catch a pneumococcal infection from the vaccine, because the vaccine doesn't contain any live bacteria.
Side effects of the baby pneumo jab
Possible side effects of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), which is the type of pneumo jab given to babies under two, include:
- decreased appetite
- a slightly raised temperature
- irritability
- redness at the site of the injection
- hardness or swelling at the site of the injection
- feeling sleepy
- not sleeping well
Side effects of the pneumo jab for adults and people with health problems
Possible side effects of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) - the type of pneumo jab given to adults and children over the age of two - include:
- mild soreness or hardness at the site of the injection lasting one to three days
- a slightly raised temperature
Serious side effects of the pneumo jab
Very occasionally, some babies, children or adults react badly and develop serious side effects with the pneumo jab. If you notice any unusual symptoms in your baby or yourself after being vaccinated, call your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
To find out more, read Vaccine safety and side effects.
Reporting side effects of the pneumo jab
The Yellow Card Scheme allows you to report suspected side effects from any type of medicine that you are taking. It's run by a medicines safety watchdog called the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). See the Yellow Card Scheme website for more information.
Find out how to report a vaccine side effect.
