This site has been optimised for usage with Internet Explorer 7 or higher.

It appears you may be using an earlier version than IE7 in which case some features may not display or may display error messages. You can upgrade your internet browser for free on the following links, this will allow you to fully explore the Pneumo Aware website.

Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Internet Explorer 8
No, thanks, just continue.

Child vaccination

Immunisation against pneumococcus is now part of the routine childhood immunisation programme. See the Immunisation Schedule for more information.

Infant vaccination has been demonstrated to be highly effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease in clinical studies as well as day-to-day clinical practice.

Before the introduction of routine vaccination:

  • Pneumococcal infection killed one child every week1038
  • Pneumococcal meningitis was the UK’s second most common cause of meningitis1009
  • 1 in every 200 children in the UK was admitted into hospital before their 5th birthday as a result of pneumococcal pneumonia1014
  • Pneumococcal infection was also estimated to be responsible for half of all cases of acute bacteria otitis media1027

The first vaccine to be introduced, PCV7, was a 7-valent vaccine that offered protection against seven of the most common pneumococcal serotypes or strains (serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F). These seven serotypes were responsible for approximately 80% of the serious pneumococcal disease affecting infants and young children in the UK at the time of its introduction in 2006.1040

In 2009, a 10-valent (PCV10) and a 13-valent (PCV13) pneumococcal conjugate vaccine were licensed, both offering coverage against a broader range of serotypes.

In January 2010 the UK Department of Health announced that the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) will be introduced to replace PCV7.1039 This means that infants and young children in the UK are now offered the broadest available protection against pneumococcal disease.

Compared to PCV7, PCV13 offers an additional 6 serotypes (1, 3, 5, 6A, 7F, 19A),1055 which provides 74% potential coverage*1040 PCV13 also has a comparable safety profile to PCV7.1055

*Estimated percentage of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) caused by serotypes included in Prevenar and Prevenar 13 in children in England and Wales <51040

  • Since the introduction of Prevenar in 2006, there has been a fall in the number of cases of invasive pneumococcal disease in children aged 5 and under1039
  • In the first 30 months following its introduction, Prevenar prevented an estimated 959 cases of serious illness and saved 53 lives1034

Impact on IPD1039

Number of cases of invasive pneumococcal disease in under 5s caused by strains in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines Prevenar and Prevenar 13 (Prevenar introduced to under 2s in September 2006)1039

In February 2011 The JCVI noted that following the epidemiological data on the impact of the vaccination programme on pneumococcal disease in England and Wales the committee’s advice was that PCV13 should be the vaccine of choice for the UK.

Side effects

Pneumococcal immunisation usually causes no problems and any side effects are usually minor and short lasting. A lump at the injection site and mild soreness sometimes develops. A mild fever may also be experienced for a day or so.

In clinical studies of Prevenar 13, the most commonly reported adverse events in children were injection site reactions, fever, irritability, decreased appetite, and increased and/or decreased sleep.1055

In extremely rare cases, some children may react badly to the vaccine. Urgent medical advice should be sought if the child becomes breathless, or if swelling or a rash develops within a few days of immunisation.
 

Get Adobe Flash player