Pneumococcal Vaccination, 4 Years

Pneumococcal disease refers to a range of illnesses caused by infection with the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, commonly known as pneumococcus. There are many types of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, some of which are commonly found in the nose, throat and windpipe of healthy people.

Illnesses caused by pneumococcal infection range from infections such as otitis media (middle ear infection) or sinusitis (sinus infection), to serious and potentially life-threatening infections such as pneumonia (lung infection), bacteraemia/septicaemia (blood infection) and meningitis (infection around the brain).

The disease is spread between people through infected droplets in the air and by touching an infected person. This can happen through sneezing, coughing, kissing, or by children sharing toys.

Please speak to your doctor if you are concerned about your baby's risk of pneumococcal disease.

In Australia, pneumococcal disease is more common in children less than 2 years of age and in the elderly who are aged over 85 years.

The risk of pneumococcal infection and serious disease is also greater in children less than 5 years of age with other medical conditions, people with weak immune systems, people with chronic diseases such as diabetes lung, kidney, liver and heart disease, smokers, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Other people may be at risk of pneumococcal disease. Please speak to your doctor about your or your baby's individual circumstances.

Symptoms of pneumococcal infection may be vague and can vary depending on which part of the body is affected. Symptoms may include:

• Otitis media (middle ear infection) - Ear pain and a red and swollen eardrum, hearing loss, difficulty sleeping, fever and irritability.
• Sinusitis (sinus infection) - Aching face, blocked nose, yellow/green mucus, headache.
• Pneumonia (lung infection) - Fever, coughing, chest pain and difficulty breathing.
• Bacteraemia/septicaemia (blood infection) - Fever, chills, irritability, headache, muscle aches, drowsiness and rash.
• Meningitis (infection of a membrane covering the brain) - High fever and headache, which may develop over a few hours or 1 to 2 days. Other symptoms may also include vomiting, sensitivity to light, neck stiffness, poor appetite, confusion, irritability and drowsiness.

Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended as part of routine immunisation for children, older Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Pneumococcal vaccination is provided free to babies as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP), and is usually given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Children in some states or territories, or those at increased risk of pneumococcal disease, may be given an extra one or two doses of pneumococcal vaccine between 12 months and 5 years of age. Your doctor will advise if your baby needs these doses.

Pneumococcal vaccination may also be recommended for adolescents and adults who are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease. 

Please discuss your individual circumstances with your doctor.

Currently available pneumococcal vaccines do not protect against all the different types of Streptococcus pneumoniae that can cause disease, and not all disease cases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae will be prevented by vaccination . They do however, help protect against the types that cause most of the serious pneumococcal disease in children.

A range of side effects may be experienced following vaccination. Discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare professional and inform them if you, or a member of your family experience any side effects as you may need treatment.