Pneumococci are bacteria and can be the cause of middle ear infection, pneumonia, blood poisoning and meningitis. In many individuals, pneumococci are part of the normal flora of the upper respiratory tract and do not cause disease. Some individuals are at risk of developing severe pneumococcal infections. These include especially young children, immunocompromised individuals or people suffering from certain chronic diseases.
When and how often should I be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease?
In Switzerland, the pneumococcal vaccine is part of the standard vaccination schedule and is recommended during the first 5 years of life. There is no recommendation for healthy adults to be vaccinated since the risk of severe disease is small. For adults with certain risk factors (e.g. immunodeficiency, certain chronic diseases), a single vaccination is recommended.
Price: 92 CHF per dose plus consultation and injection fee
What else should I know about the pneumococcal vaccine?
Several vaccines against pneumococci are licensed in Switzerland: Pneumovax-23 (PPV23) was used in the past, but is rarely used today. Although PPV23 covers different types of pneumococci, the protection is lower (no T-cell response) compared to the other vaccines.
In contrast, the newer pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) induce a stronger and longer-lasting immune response, especially in young children and immunocompromised individuals. Prevenar 13 (PCV13) has been shown to reduce the number of pneumococci in the normal flora of the upper respiratory tract, making Prevenar the preferred vaccine. Equivalent protection is provided by Vaxneuvance (PCV15) and Prevenar 20 (PCV20), which are effective against 15 to 20 different strains.
For more information on pneumococcal disease and vaccination, please visit the website of the FOPH.
Do you have a question or would you like to book an appointment?
