Pneumococcus vaccine

Pneumococcus (PCV7): This is a series of four vaccines, given at two, four, and six months and again between 12 and 15 months. PCV7 is recommended for all children under the age of two, but only for certain high-risk groups between the ages of two and five years.

The pneumococcus is one of the most common causes of serious bacterial infections in childhood. It is spread from person to person by respiratory droplets. It can cause a range of infections, including ear infections, sinusitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, meningitis and infections of the bloodstream. The number of serious infections in this country has fallen dramatically since the introduction of the PCV7 vaccine.