Pneumococcal disease

The pneumococcal vaccine is to reduce the risk of pneumonia.

Disease and transmission – Pneumonia is inflammation in one or both lungs, usually caused by a bacterial infection or a virus.

Symptoms – Cough, often producing green or brown mucus, difficulty breathing, fever, rapid heart beat, sweating and shivering, fatigue, chest pain (especially on coughing), joint and muscle pain, confusion.

Prevention – Most cases are bacterial and are not passed on from person to person, ensuring good hygiene helps prevent germs spreading. Cover your cough and wash your hands regularly.

A healthy lifestyle can also help prevent pneumonia - for example, stopping smoking as smoking damages the lining of the lungs. Excessive alcohol use also weakens your lungs, making you more vulnerable to pneumonia.

Treatment – Mild pneumonia can usually be treated at home by rest, increased fluid intake, and taking antibiotics if caused by a bacterial infection. The cough may last for several weeks. Pneumonia can be severe, in some cases fatal, and may need to be treated in hospital. Complications of pneumonia are more common in young children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions; complications of pneumonia include pleurisy and sepsis.

Vaccination - This vaccination helps reduce risk of pneumonia due to pneumococcal bacteria. The vaccine encourages your body to produce antibodies against pneumococcal bacteria. These antibodies protect you from becoming ill if you're infected with the bacteria. We offer the adult vaccine which protects against 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria.