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. This includes, in particular, young children, people with immunodeficiency or certain chronic conditions, and older adults.
When and how often should I be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease?
In Switzerland, pneumococcal vaccination is part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule and is recommended in the first years of life. The number of doses depends on the child’s age. A single pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended for everyone aged 65 and over as an additional vaccination for personal protection.
For healthy adults under 65, pneumococcal vaccination is generally not recommended, as their risk of severe illness is low. This is different for people with certain chronic conditions or immunodeficiency. Because their risk of severe illness is increased, they should receive a single vaccination.
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.
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