Vaccination against pneumococci

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Although vaccines are the best-studied preparations in terms of effectiveness and safety, they still raise many concerns. Pneumococci are the bacteria that cause the most serious infections in children. Most often they populate children’s noses and throats, then they do not cause any symptoms, and the child becomes only a carrier. When should my child be vaccinated?

What are pneumococci?

Pneumococci are the bacteria that cause the most serious bacterial infections in children. The carrier can be either a child or an adult. They then settle in the throat or nose of the vector and usually do not cause any symptoms. However, carriers can make people who are susceptible to infection fall ill.

These bacteria usually cause inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, but can also cause serious life-threatening infections when pneumococci enter the bloodstream. They trigger:

1. sepsis – that is, sepsis, a generalized severe infection of the body with symptoms from various organs;
2. meningitis;
3. inflammation of the lungs, joints;
4. other.

Pneumococcal infections can be very severe and even lead to death.

Check: Vaccinations in Poland – mandatory and recommended

What is the risk of infection?

You can get infected with pneumococci by airborne droplets. It is enough to inhale drops of various secretions and saliva from the air or have direct contact with the sick person or the carrier. The child is most at risk of infection in nurseries, kindergartens and other large groups of children.

The most severe cases of pneumococcal infection concern children under 5 years of age, while in children up to 2 years of age, the most complications and severe invasive infections occur. The greatest risk of severe pneumococcal infection is in:

1. premature babies;
2. people suffering from chronic diseases: immunodeficiency, diseases of the blood system, heart, lungs, or diabetes, lack of spleen, diseases of the middle ear, deafness.

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How can pneumococcal disease be prevented?

To date, the only method developed to prevent pneumococcal infections is a protective vaccine, as this bacterium is quite common and it is very easy to get infected.

What vaccines are given against pneumococci?

Pneumococcal vaccines contain a small fragment of bacterial cells. If we decide to vaccinate, we have a choice of two types of vaccines:

1. conjugate, 10-valent and 13-valent vaccines – they can be given to children from 6 weeks of age. In the case of the 10-valent vaccine, it can be administered to children up to 5 years of age, while the 13-valent vaccine can also be administered to adults and the elderly. Their job is to support the immature immune system of infants and young children to build up a lasting immunity. It is worth emphasizing that they protect against the most common pneumococci;
2. polysaccharide vaccines – they are administered only from the age of 2 to people in risk groups. They protect against the 23 most common types of pneumococci (including all antibiotic-resistant pneumococci). Unfortunately, they are not available in Poland.

Check: Vaccines – modern weapons

How effective is pneumococcal vaccines?

The effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccines has been demonstrated in clinical and observational studies. On their basis, it can be concluded that children who have undergone complete vaccinations are much less likely to contract any invasive disease caused by pneumococcal infection. In countries where vaccination is compulsory, the effects are even better.

How are pneumococcal vaccines tolerated?

Pneumococcal vaccines are safe and do not cause serious health problems, as evidenced by the enormous amount of doses administered worldwide without any adverse reactions.

After vaccination, a mild and transient vaccination may appear which disappears within 1-3 days. They usually appear at the injection site and are swelling, redness, soreness. There may also be a fever, rarely exceeding 39 degrees Celsius, lack of appetite, feeling unwell and tearfulness.

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Who can be vaccinated?

In 2017, pneumococcal vaccination was included in the list of compulsory, i.e. free, vaccinations for all children born after December 31, 2016. In addition, if the child is at risk, he or she will also receive free immunization regardless of the date of birth. It is worth vaccinating primarily children under 5 years of age.

Vaccinations should start at 2 months of age. The vaccine is given by injection into a muscle. Conjugate vaccines can be safely administered with other vaccines in the immunization program.

What are the contraindications for vaccination?

The contraindication to pneumococcal vaccination is universal contraindication for all vaccinations. It should be remembered that the child should be completely healthy.

What is the pneumococcal vaccination course?

Vaccination against pneumococci takes place in various cycles depending on the age of the patient. To vaccinate children in certain risk groups, the child is given 3 doses of the primary vaccination before 1 year of age, followed by a booster dose at 2 years of age. It is referred to as a 3 + 1 scheme.

Depending on the age at which vaccination begins, it may contain from 1 to 4 doses. The cycle must follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Vaccination cycle with 10-valent vaccine (PCV-10):

1. If the vaccine is given between six weeks and six months of age. The vaccine is given in:
2. vaccination cycle 3 + 1 – the first 3 doses of the vaccine with an interval of 1 month;
3. 2 + 1 vaccination course – two doses are given every 2 months and a booster dose after at least 6 months (approx. 12-15 months of age);
4. If the vaccine is given at 7-11 months of age, the baby should be given 2 doses of the vaccine 1 month apart, with a booster dose in the second year of life.
5. If the vaccine is given between 1-5 years of age, the child is given two doses, 2 months apart.
6. vaccination cycle 3 + 1 – the first 3 doses of the vaccine with an interval of 1 month;
7. 2 + 1 vaccination course – two doses are given every 2 months and a booster dose after at least 6 months (approx. 12-15 months of age);

Vaccination cycle with 13-valent vaccine (PCV-13):

1. If a child is vaccinated between 6 weeks and 6 months of age, the vaccination course is as follows:
2. 3 + 1 vaccination cycle – this means that three doses of the vaccine are given with an interval of 1 month, and a booster dose between 11 and 15 months of age;
3. 2 + 1 vaccination cycle – this means that vaccine doses are given 2 months apart and a booster dose is given around 11-15 months of age.
4. If children over 7 months of age are vaccinated, they are given 2 doses with an interval of 1 month, and a booster dose at 2 years of age.
5. If the vaccination is between 12 and 23 months of age, the child is given 2 doses 2 months apart.
6. 3 + 1 vaccination cycle – this means that three doses of the vaccine are given with an interval of 1 month, and a booster dose between 11 and 15 months of age;
7. 2 + 1 vaccination cycle – this means that vaccine doses are given 2 months apart and a booster dose is given around 11-15 months of age.

When vaccinating children and adolescents between 2 and 17 years of age, one dose of the vaccine is administered. For adults, 1 dose of the vaccine is recommended.

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