Pneumococcal
Bacteria
The infection is caused by bacteria and there are 90 different types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Vaccine
Vaccine protection for pneumococcal disease, using a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, was added to the National Immunisation Schedule in 2008 and is free for all infants born from 01 January 2008. The vaccine brand currently used is Prevenar. It covers the seven most common pneumococcal types that cause disease in infants and young children.
Later in 2011 a different pneumococcal conjugate vaccine called Synflorix replaces Prevenar at the scheduled visits of 6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months and 15 months of age. Synflorix covers the same seven pneumococcal types that Prevenar does plus three more types.
From 1 July 2011 Prevenar 13 replaces Prevenar for children with particular medical conditions eligible for the High Risk Pneumococcal Immunisation Programme12. Prevenar 13 covers the same seven pneumococcal types that Prevenar does plus six more types. Prevenar 13 is to be used in these children instead of Prevenar or Synflorix. Talk to your nurse or doctor for more information.
A pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is also available for people older than 2 years with medical conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease. Only some medical conditions entitle people to receive this vaccine for free. Talk to your nurse or doctor for more information.
How is it spread?
The bacteria is carried in the throat, often without causing disease, and is spread through the air during coughing and sneezing.
The illness
The pneumococcal bacteria causes severe disease such as:
- meningitis, an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
- septicaemia or blood poisoning
- infections of the joints, around the heart or of the bones and the soft tissue beneath the skin.
The bacteria also causes pneumonia, ear and sinus infections. Pneumococcal disease may be a complication from a viral infection.
Severe risks associated with pneumococcal disease
- Each year in New Zealand more than 150 children under the age of five years are admitted to hospitals with pneumococcal disease.
- About one in 10 children with pneumococcal meningitis die and one in six survivors will have permanent brain damage
- About one in three children will be left with a hearing impairment after pneumococcal meningitis.
- Pneumonia and septicaemia (blood poisoning) leads to hospitalisation.
- Less severe illness, such as ear infections, may lead to deafness.
- Children with medical conditions such as congenital heart disease, some chronic lung diseases, kidney diseases, HIV infection, and children whose immune system is lowered through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or organ transplant are at higher risk of pneumococcal disease.
- Children with spinal fluid shunts and with cochlear implants are also at higher risk of pneumococcal disease.
Severe risks associated with vaccine
- Less than one in 1000 recipients of the vaccine may suffer from anaphylaxis or a hypersensitivity reaction
Page last updated: 21 December 2011
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