Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria which lives in the nose and throat. It is spread through the air through tiny particles, or droplets of fluids that are made when people who are infected cough or sneeze.
When it causes disease, this can be invasive or non-invasive. Less invasive infections include infections of the eye and ear. And more invasive infections are those affecting the brain, lungs, heart, bone, and joints, and the bloodstream.
Depending on which part of the body is infected, pneumococcal infections can cause all sorts of different issues. Ear infections can lead to long-term hearing issues.
More invasive infections such as those affecting the brain, lungs, or bloodstream can often lead to hospitalisations with intensive care admissions, and can be fatal.
Vaccination is the best way to protect your child from the disease. On the National Immunisation Program, children in Australia receive a vaccine that strengthens immunity to many strains of the bacteria, which cause pneumococcal disease.
Children should receive the free vaccine at six weeks, four months, and 12 months for the best possible protection. Children with risk factors for invasive disease will often be advised by their health professional to receive additional pneumococcal vaccines.
The vaccine contains an inactive, and safe form of the bacteria and trains your child's immune system to recognise and protect against the infection. If they get the disease, the vaccine can make the illness milder and shorter and can protect against meningitis, which causes inflammation to the brain and spinal cord and pneumonia.
Your child may experience mild reactions to the vaccine, which usually disappear within a few days. Common reactions include redness, swelling, and soreness at the injection site. Body aches, a mild fever and tiredness.
The pneumococcal vaccines have resulted in a large decrease in rates of invasive infections due to pneumococcal disease. Always speak with your health professional if you have any questions about childhood vaccinations.
For more information, visit Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation at skai.org/childhood.
In this video, Dr Linny Phuong shares how you can protect your child from pneumococcal disease with free vaccines available under the National Immunisation Program.