Pneumococcal

Question 1

What vaccines that protect against infection from Streptococcus pneumoniae are available? (2)

Answer 1

Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (adsorbed)

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

Question 2

Which vaccine is used for childhood immunisation?

Answer 2

Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (adsorbed)

- 13 capsular types

Question 3

Which vaccine is recommended for all adults aged 65 years and over?

Answer 3

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

- 23 valent

Question 4

What at-risk groups should be recommended for the 23- valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine? (9)

Answer 4

• Asplenia or splenic dysfunction
• Chronic respiratory disease
• Chronic heart disease
• Chronic renal disease
• Chronic liver disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment
• Presence of cochlear implant
• Conditions where leakage of cerebrospinal fluid may occur

Question 5

At least how long before a splenectomy, starting chemotherapy or radiotherapy should patients be given the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine?

Answer 5

2 weeks at least, preferably 4-6 weeks

Question 6

If an un-immunised or partially immunised child presents late and before 1 year old, what should their immunisation schedule be?

Answer 6

1) Single dose of 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (adsorbed)
2) Booster dose on or after their 1st birthday, and at least 4 weeks after the previous dose.

Question 7

If an un-immunised or partially immunised child aged 1-2 years presents to the clinic, what should their immunisation schedule be?

Answer 7

Single dose of the 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (adsorbed)

Question 8

If a severely immunocompromised individual presents, what should the vaccine schedule for the Pneumococcal vaccine be?

Answer 8

Severely immunocompromised children should be given a single dose of the 13-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (adsorbed), regardless of immunisation status.
This should be followed by a single dose of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, at least 8 weeks after the last dose of 13-valent vaccine.