Live Life Team
For protection against pneumococcal infections, pneumococcal immunisation is necessary. It is also called as pneumo jab. The pneumococcus bacterium causes the Pneumococcal infections and following conditions result because of it
-meningitis
– pneumonia
– septicaemia
Anyone can be infected by this condition. There are different types of pneumococcal immunisation. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) should be given to children below the age of two as a part of immunisation programme for young children. The one-off pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) should be taken by adults above the age of 65.PPV vaccine should also be given to people who are at a higher risk of pneumococcal infection.
Why is it necessary
Pneumococcal immunisation is necessary for prevention against Pneumococcal infections. These infections are dangerous and may lead to very grave conditions. Death may also be caused by this infection. These infections spread very easily. A cough or sneeze causes the bacteria to pass in the air through the tiny droplets given out. These bacteria remain in dormant state once they enter the body. Sometimes they may multiply and cause harm by creating health problems. If they are in dormant state they won’t cause any health problem but may infect other people. The infection may cause severe condition in children, people suffering from long-term conditions of health and old people.
How does it work
There are two types of vaccination for pneumococcal infections. They are
– Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
Children below 2 years are given PCV vaccination.
– Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV)
PPV vaccination is given to people above the age of 65 and people with higher risk of developing the infection.
Both of these vaccinations are injected into the body. The vaccination works by producing antibodies against the bacteria causing the infection. Any illness caused by infection will be fought by the antibodies produced. These vaccinations protect the body against Pneumococcal bacteria but it does not create immunity to bacteria of all types.
When it should be done
Immunisation against pneumococcus infection is done to the following people
-Children
PCV vaccination is given to children and it is a part of the children immunisation programme. The injection is given in three doses. The first is given at the age of 2 months; the next at 4 months and the last in the 13th month. Children at a higher risk of getting infected with pneumococcal disease are also recommended this vaccination till the age of 5 years.
Older people
PPV vaccination is needed for people above 65 years to protect them against pneumococcal infection.
High risk groups
The following people are at a higher risk of getting a pneumococcal infection
-if you had spleen removal or your spleen is not working properly
-if you have difficulty in breathing due to severe breathing problem like asthma
-if you are suffering from severe heart conditions such as congenital heart
-if you are suffering from acute lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
-if you are suffering from serious kidney disease like nephritic syndrome
-if you are suffering from liver disease from along time
-if you have a weakened immune system because of HIV or treatment of cancer
