HOME 13/06/06
Aged 80
or over?
Everybody aged 80 and over should now be immunised to
help protect them against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such
as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood ) poisoning) and meningitis.
This (leaflet)
describes these diseases and explains how you can protect yourself by having
the pneumococcal (or pneumo) vaccine.
Pneumococcal disease is the term used to
describe a range of illnesses such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning)
and meningitis (inflammation around the brain), when these are caused by the
bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.
The bacteria
(germs) that cause pneumococcal disease are spread by coughing, sneezing or
close contact between people. The bacteria get into the nose and throat and
they may stay there without doing any harm. But sometimes they can invade the
lungs or bloodstream causing pneumonia and septicaemia, or they can reach the
brain and cause meningitis.
Immunisation
with pneumococcal vaccine (pneumo vaccine for short) helps prevent pneumococcal
disease. This vaccine has been used successfully in a number of countries,
including the
Who
is at risk?
Everybody is at
risk of getting pneumococcal disease, but the risk increases as you get older.
You are particularly vulnerable if you are over 80, especially if you have a
heart or lung condition, have diabetes mellitus, have no spleen or have a
weakened immune system, for example, if you are having treatment for cancer. So
everyone aged 80 and over is now being offered a routine pneumococcal jab.
The symptoms of
pneumococcal infection of the lungs are:
a high fever
coughing
shaking
chills
breathlessness
chest pains,
and
confusion.
The symptoms of
pneumococcal meningitis are
a severe
headache
a stiff neck
a high fever
confusion,
and
being
sensitive to light.
You should contact your doctor if any of these symptoms is causing you concern.
Do I
need to do anything to get the jab?
No, your doctor
will invite you in for the jab. You can have it at the same time as your flu
jab to save an extra visit. It is okay to have the two jabs at the same time.
If you do not hear from your doctor's surgery; check that they have got your
correct contact details.
No, you cannot get pneumococcal disease from the vaccine as it does not contain live bacteria.
Side effects are usually mild and don't last
very long. Your arm mauy be wollen and sore where you had the injection. Very
occasionally you may have a fever or muscle pain.
How
often will I need this vaccine?
Most people
will only need to have the vaccine once. You may need a second dose if you have
certain conditions such as:
a damaged
spleen or no spleen, or
problems with
your kidneys.
Talk to your
doctor or practice nurse if you think this applies to you.
I
think I've already had this jab. Do I need another one?
Check with your
doctor or practice nurse if you think you've already had the jab. Unless you
have one of the conditions listed above, you shouldn't need another jab.
Will
people under 80 also be given the vaccine?
Some people who
are at a higher risk from infection, such as those with other illnesses and
medical conditions, are already being vaccinated against pneumococcal disease.
However, as people over 80 are most at risk from pneumococcal disease a routine
vaccination is being offered to everyone in this age group now. People between
65 and 80, where the risk is lower, will be vaccinated over the next few years.
You can get
more information about the pneumococcal vaccine from your doctor or practice
nurse, or you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. You can also visit the NHS
immunisation website at
www.immunisation.nhs.uk/pneumococcal
NHS Immunisation Information