Introduction
There are two type of pneumococcal vaccine currently in use:
- pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
- pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV)
Indications
The PCV is given to children as part of their routine immunisations (at 2, 4 and 13 months).
The PPV is offered to all adults over the age of 65 years, to patients with chronic conditions such as COPD and to those who have had a splenectomy (see below).
Groups who should be vaccinated:
Adults usually require just one dose but those with asplenia, splenic dysfunction or chronic kidney disease need a booster every 5 years.
The PPV is offered to all adults over the age of 65 years, to patients with chronic conditions such as COPD and to those who have had a splenectomy (see below).
Groups who should be vaccinated:
- asplenia or splenic dysfunction
- chronic respiratory disease: COPD, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease. Asthma is only included if 'it requires the use of oral steroids at a dose sufficient to act as a significant immunosuppressant'
- chronic heart disease: ischaemic heart disease if requiring medication or follow-up, heart failure, congenital heart disease. Controlled hypertension is not an indication for vaccination
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic liver disease: including cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis
- diabetes mellitus if requiring medication
- immunosuppression (either due to disease or treatment). This includes patients with any stage of HIV infection
- cochlear implants
- patients with cerebrospinal fluid leaks
Adults usually require just one dose but those with asplenia, splenic dysfunction or chronic kidney disease need a booster every 5 years.