Pneumococcal vaccination

Pneumonia is an acute infection of the lung tissue. The infection can be confined to a single lobe or segment of the lung or may involve several areas – generally the more affected areas, the sicker the person will be.

One of the leading causes of severe pneumonia among children is a group of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (also known as pneumococcus / pneumococci). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to experience a high incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD).

Pneumococci occur naturally as part of the normal microbial flora of the nose and pharynx, particularly among young children. This is called colonisation (the presence of bacteria on a body surface without causing disease in the person). Virtually every child in the world is colonised, becoming a carrier during their early life due to pneumococci being easily transmitted (through coughs, sneezes and other secretions) within families and between households and communities.

In most cases, carriage of pneumococci is asymptomatic but children who have not developed immunity or whose defences are compromised (by the flu virus, for example) are at risk of developing pneumococcal infection.

Bacterial pneumonia can start very swiftly over just a few hours and make you very sick. Often respiratory tract infections precede the episode and the following signs develop: sore throat, running or blocked nose, dry cough, which changes to a cough with sputum production, and fever.

Common symptoms of pneumonia are:

• Fever of 38.5°C or more with chills or shaking
• Cough, which often produces sputum from the airways. The colour of the phlegm may be green or rusty, occasionally with blood specks. However, sometimes no sputum is produced.
• Night sweats
• Shallow, rapid breathing and rapid heart rate
• Chest pain, which is worsened on inhalation or coughing. This may be only on one side and felt deep in the chest.
• Tiredness, body weakness (general malaise), confusion (particularly in the elderly)

These symptoms depend on age and other underlying health problems. In elderly people these symptoms may be much less obvious. Shortness of breath is not easy to spot but may be suspected when talking becomes interrupted and difficult.

Vaccination
Since the turn of the century, vaccines suitable to protect infants and toddlers against pneumococcal infection have been available. Preventing children from developing pneumonia in the first place is essential for reducing child deaths.

Although there are more than 90 different strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, approximately 20 serotypes (strains) cause most disease. In 2000 a conjugate vaccine containing seven of the very common strains found in industrialised countries was introduced in the United States of America (USA) for routine immunisation of all infants, and distributed to other countries.

Fast-forward to 2014 and there is a vaccine available that covers 13 of the most common global strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and provides increased coverage of the strains most commonly found in developing countries.

Vaccination in Australia
In Australia, pneumococcal vaccination is recommended as part of routine immunisation for children, older Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule and funded under the Immunise Australia Program.

To receive pneumococcal immunisation, visit your local doctor or immunisation provider.