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Immunisation schedule

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was added to the routine childhood immunisation programme in 2006, and is consists of three injections at:1039

  • 2 months
  • 4 months and
  • Between the ages of 12 and 13 months (booster dose)

The first two injections are normally given at the same time as the DTaP/IPV(polio)/Hib injection; the booster dose can be given at the same time as the MMR and Hib/MenC vaccines between 12 and 13 months of age.1050

As well as being offered to all infants in the UK from two months of age, PCV is also recommended for children from two months to under five years who have not received immunisation according to the infant schedule and fall into one of the following clinical at-risk groups:1051

  • Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen
  • Chronic respiratory disease
  • Chronic heart disease
  • Chronic renal disease
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Diabetes
  • Immunosuppression
  • Individuals with cochlear implants
  • Individuals with cerebrospinal fluid leaks

The dose schedules for children in one of these at-risk groups will depend on the age and circumstances of the child. At-risk children who have already had their routine PCV immunisations should also have one injection of PPV around their second birthday (but at least two months after the final dose of PCV). Children who are in an at-risk group under the age of five years who have not already had routine immunisations with PCV will require both PCV and PPV.1053

Polysaccharide vaccine (PPV)1051

  • Adults 65 years or over
    • A single dose of PPV should be administered
  • Clinical at-risk groups
    • For children aged over five years and adults, a single dose of PPV should be given, at least two months after the final dose of PCV

Key points

  • Currently available vaccines cannot prevent all pneumococcal infections, and a significant burden of disease remains particularly in adults.10351037
  • 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.

 

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