What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is a life-threatening chest infection particularly in the elderly and young children.

What is the pneumococcus bug and why does it deserve a specific vaccine?

Pneumococcus is a germ (bacterium) which can cause pneumonia, meningitis and some other infections. Pneumonia caused by pneumococcus occurs in about one in 1,000 adults each year and the infection can affect anybody. However, young children, older people and some other groups of people are at increased risk of developing a pneumococcal infection.

How does a vaccine work?

A vaccine consists of cell wall bits of a bug but not the harmful bug itself. The vaccine makes the body produce a defence that is kicked off by exposure to that particular bug if it happens in the future. It is as if your body is armed and ready for an attack instead of being caught by a surprise assault.

How effective is the pneumonia vaccine?

There are actually lots of pneumonia bugs and even lots of variants of the most common pneumococcus bug. Scientists have included the cell walls of the 23 most common ones which means that the vaccine gives 85-90% protection for this disease called pneumococcal pneumonia.

Why in October/November?

There is a marked seasonal pattern, with reported cases peaking in December and January.

Who should be immunised against the pneumococcus?

Three groups of people should be immunised:

n All children - Immunisation against pneumococcus is part of the routine childhood immunisation programme. The routine schedule consists of three injections which are normally given at age two months, four months and between the ages of 12 and 13 months.

n All older people - All people aged 65 or over should be immunised. This consists of a one-off injection.

n Other at-risk groups - Any person over the age of two months in an at-risk group should be immunised.

That is, if you:

n Do not have a spleen or if your spleen does not work properly.

n Have an ongoing (chronic) serious lung disease. Examples include chronic bronchitis, emphysema, cystic fibrosis and severe asthma (needing regular steroid inhalers or steroid tablets).

n Have a chronic heart disease such as congenital heart disease, angina, heart failure or if you have ever had a heart attack.

n Have a serious chronic kidney disease such as nephrotic syndrome, kidney failure or if you have had a kidney transplant.

n Have a chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.

n Have diabetes which requires insulin or tablets to control it.

n Have a poor immune system. Examples include if you who are receiving chemotherapy or steroid treatment (for more than a month) or if you have HIV or AIDS.

n Have a cochlear implant in your ear.

n Have a cerebrospinal fluid shunt.

n Are a welder or are exposed to metal fumes in your job. There is a strong association between welding and the development of pneumococcal disease, particularly pneumonia.

How is the vaccine given?

An injection is given into the upper arm in children and adults.

Are there any side-effects?

Pneumococcal immunisation usually causes no problems. Mild soreness and a lump at the injection site sometimes occur.

A mild high temperature may develop for a day or so. These side-effects are usually minor and soon go away.

Bad reactions are extremely rare, and usually becomes apparent within 10 minutes.

By the time the site has been checked for bleeding and documentation has been completed, most reactions will have become apparent. Patients should stay in the surgery for 10 minutes after the injection.

Outcome measures

This is how we might judge how effective the immunisation campaign has been:

n Percentage of adults over 65 years of age who have received pneumococcal vaccination.

n Percentage of people with no functional spleen who have received pneumococcal vaccination.

n Percentage of all children under two years vaccinated as part of the childhood immunisation programme.

If you are over 65 or in one of the at risk groups listed above please ask about the Pneumovax vaccination at your GP surgery.