Pneumococcal vaccination in Vienna at JUVENIS

What are pneumococci?

Pneumococci are the most common cause of pneumonia, which in turn is the third most common cause of death in Western countries.

Transmission occurs via droplet infection, e.g. when speaking, sneezing and coughing. The droplets are inhaled through the air and, by multiplying on our mucous membranes, cause an infection.

The pathogens are normally present in the nasopharynx without causing disease. The occurrence of disease depends on age, environment and, above all, immune status.

What diseases can pneumococci cause?

In addition to pneumonia, this especially includes meningitis and severe invasive diseases (sepsis). In children, middle ear infections also frequently occur.

Who should get vaccinated?

Primarily children up to 5 years of age and people from the age of 50.

But there is also an increased risk for people with chronic lung disease (asthma, emphysema, COPD), chronic heart, liver and kidney disease, as well as diabetes mellitus, and also for those with impaired immune systems, absence of the spleen (after surgery), and smokers.

How often and when is vaccination given?

There are two vaccines, a 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) and the newer 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PNC13), which can be combined and should be administered at intervals of 1 and 2 years, respectively.

The Pneumococcal vaccination can be vaccinated throughout the year, ideally together with the flu vaccination in autumn.

Is there any contraindication?

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after a previous vaccination,

Acute febrile infections — in these cases the vaccination should be postponed to another time.