Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria. There are 90 different types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Pneumococcal disease
Summary
The bacteria is carried in the throat, often without causing disease. It’s spread through the air by coughing and sneezing.
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.
Children at higher risk
Children with some medical conditions are at higher risk of pneumococcal disease. This includes children with:
- congenital heart disease
- some chronic lung conditions
- kidney diseases
- HIV infection
- a lowered immune system due to chemotherapy, radiation therapy or organ transplant.
Children with spinal fluid shunts and with cochlear implants are also at higher risk of pneumococcal disease.
Resources
Childhood Immunisation
Available from HealthEd.
Symptoms
Local pneumococcal infection can cause ear infections (otitis media) and sinusitis.
Early stages of serious pneumonia may appear like the flu, with aches, pains and fever, but can progress very quickly and usually result in hospitalisation.
Symptoms of serious pneumonia are:
- fever and chills
- chest pain
- cough
- shortness of breath
- rapid or grunting breathing.
Prevention
It’s important to protect babies from pneumococcal disease by getting them immunised on time. They’re not protected until they’ve had all 3 doses.
All babies in New Zealand can be immunised against pneumococcal disease as part of their free childhood immunisations at 6 weeks, 5 months and 15 months old.
Vaccine
This disease is covered on the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule. The vaccine used is Synflorix, which covers the 10 most common pneumococcal types that cause disease in infants and young children.
Children and adults with particular medical conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease are eligible for funded pneumococcal immunisation with Prevenar 13® and Pneumovax 23®. For more information about eligible medical conditions and vaccines, see the Immunisation Handbook, or talk to your nurse or doctor.
Making a decision about immunisation
Risks associated with pneumococcal disease
- Each year in New Zealand more than 150 children under the age of 5 years are admitted to hospitals with pneumococcal disease.
- About 1 in 10 children with pneumococcal meningitis die and 1 in 6 survivors will have permanent brain damage.
- About 1 in 3 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.
Risks associated with vaccine
- Less than 1 in 1000 recipients of the vaccine may suffer from anaphylaxis or a hypersensitivity reaction.
Immunisation is your choice. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or practice nurse or call the free helpline 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863).