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More Information about Pneumococcal (Pneumovax) Vaccinations

Pneumococcal vaccinations boost immunity against the pneumococcus bacteria (streptococcus pneumoniae) which is responsible for a good proportion of pneumonia in adults and also for some meningitis and septic joint diseases in adults and children. Normally healthy subjects have good immunity to infection, but if resistance is lowered for any reason (prolonged stress, exposure to cold, age over 65 years, spleen removal or other illnesses affecting the immune system) infection may strike with devastating consequences - there is a 10% death rate in those who contract an infection if they are over 65 years old.

All persons over 65 years old should be vaccinated, and for this group this should be available free of charge through the NHS. It is often given at the same time as the flu jab, but can be also given at any other time if desired. Others we would recommend having the vaccine are those with chronic heart or lung disease, liver disease, alcoholism, spleen removal or diabetes mellitus. A single vaccination is all that is necessary, and immunity usually lasts a lifetime. It should NOT be repeated within 3 years as a marked reaction may follow, but in spleen removal patients it may be boosted at 5 years. We use the 23-valent vaccine (active immunity is developed against 23 varieties of the infective agent) for all persons over 2 years of age. In many overseas countries, vaccination is also offered to children and if this is the case, the 7-valent vaccine is recommended for children under the age of 2 years.

Please do not hesitate to email us at enquiries@doctortoday.co.uk or call us on 020 7433 1444 if you have any further questions or wish to make an appointment for a vaccination.