Pneumococcal disease

What is pneumococcal disease?

Pneumococcal disease involves bacteria which cause infections. In small children, this appears in the form of middle ear infections as well as meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis. In more severe cases, pneumococcal infections in small children can be fatal. Around 1 in 4 children are left with permanent damage following a severe strain of the illness, like deafness, brain damage or paralysis. Elderly people can suffer with severe pneumonia, which is often fatal.

There are many types of pneumococcal disease. Some regularly affect babies and infants, while others affect adults. The vaccinations are adapted to these variations.

The disease is treated with antibiotics. In more severe case, intensive medical treatment is required.

Pneumococcal disease is transmitted by infected people as well as healthy bacteria carriers via droplet transmission, therefore primarily through speech, coughing, sneezing or kissing.

Infants, but also those over 50 and people with certain illnesses, are at a higher risk of contracting the pneumococcal disease.

Vaccination advice for children

The pneumococcal disease is part of the free child vaccination programme up to the age of 2. The pneumococcal vaccination is also free for children at a high risk of infection up until the age of 5.

The pneumococcal vaccination must be paid for after this time.

Vaccination schedule

First vaccination: At 3 months
Second vaccination: At 5 months
Third vaccination: At 12 – 14 months (7 to 10 months after the second vaccination)

Vaccination advice for adults over 50

First Vaccination: From the age of 50
Second vaccination: 1 year after the first vaccination

Booster after 6 years.

Information and consultancy service

Would you like to learn whether you need a pneumococci vaccination? Are you unsure whether you belong to an at-risk group?