Pneumococcal

The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against some types of bacterial infections that can cause serious illnesses like:

• meningitis (an infection in the brain and spinal cord)
• sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to an infection)
• pneumonia (an infection in the lungs)

It can also help protect against other illnesses such as sinusitis and ear infections.

Who should have the pneumococcal vaccine?

The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for babies, older people, and people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from pneumococcal infections.

When should you have the vaccine?

The vaccine Is recommended for the following groups:

• Babies – first dose at 12 weeks and a booster dose at 1 year
• People aged 65 or over – one dose when you’re 65
• Children and adults at higher risk of getting seriously ill are recommended to have at least one dose (although some people may need extra doses or regular doses)

Contact your GP surgery if you or your child have missed a pneumococcal vaccination. Most people can have the pneumococcal vaccine if they need it, including if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

You only cannot have the vaccine if you've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine.

Where can you get the vaccine?

Your GP surgery will usually contact you if you or your child are eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine. This will usually be by letter, text, phone call or email.

If you are a welder or metal worker, speak to your employer about getting the vaccine.

What are the symptoms of meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia?

Symptoms of meningitis can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all. In the early stages, there may not be a rash, or the rash may fade when pressure is applied.

You should get medical help immediately if you're concerned about yourself or your child. Trust your instincts and do not wait for all the symptoms to appear or until a rash develops.

Symptoms of meningitis and sepsis include:

• a high temperature
• cold hands and feet
• vomiting
• confusion
• breathing quickly
• muscle and joint pain
• pale, mottled or blotchy skin (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
• spots or a rash (this may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
• headache
• a stiff neck
• a dislike of bright lights
• being very sleepy or difficult to wake
• fits (seizures)

Babies may also:

• refuse feeds
• be irritable
• have a high-pitched cry
• have a stiff body or be floppy or unresponsive
• have a bulging soft spot on the top of their head

Someone with meningitis or sepsis can get a lot worse very quickly.

Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis.
Call NHS 111 for advice if you're not sure if it's anything serious.

If you’ve had medical advice and are still worried or any symptoms get worse, get medical help again.

Visit Meningitis - Symptoms - NHS (www.nhs.uk) and Symptoms of sepsis - NHS (www.nhs.uk) for further information about symptoms

Pneumonia
Symptoms of pneumonia can start suddenly or gradually over a few days.

They include:

• a cough – you may cough up yellow or green mucus (phlegm)
• shortness of breath
• a high temperature
• chest pain
• an aching body
• feeling very tired
• loss of appetite
• making wheezing noises when you breathe – babies may also make grunting noises
• feeling confused – this is common in older people

Visit Pneumonia - NHS (www.nhs.uk) for further information about symptoms