Pneumococcal Immunisation

Invasive pneumococcal disease (mostly septicaemia, bacteraemia or meningitis) is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (also called Pneumococcus). Invasive pneumococcal disease is a cause of severe morbidity and mortality, particularly affecting the elderly, the very young, and those with an absent or nonfunctioning spleen (and those with other causes of impaired immunity).

Currently in Wales, protection from invasive pneumococcal disease is available using two different types of pneumococcal vaccine:

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was added to the routine childhood immunisation schedule in September 2006 (additional doses are also recommended for children aged up to 4 years of age in the appropriate clinical risk group)
The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) is currently recommended for those aged 65 years and over and for those aged 2 to 64 years in one of the clinical risk groups.

The clinical risk groups who should receive pneumococcal immunisation are those with: Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen, chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart disease, chronic renal disease, chronic liver disease, diabetes, immunosuppression, cochlear implants, and cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

Uptake of PPV in people aged over 65 years or in clinical risk groups

In July 2006, uptake of pneumococcal vaccination amongst those aged 65 years and over in Wales, immunised at any time in the previous 10 years was 44.2% with uptake by Local Health Board (LHB) ranging from 25% to 64% (see figure)

Uptake amongst patients aged under 65 years in specific risk groups recommended for pneumococcal immunisation was highest in patients with diabetes (35.5%) and lowest in patients with chronic respiratory disease (10.4%).

Figure - Percentage coverage of PPV in Wales by LHB 2006

The full report can be downloaded from the link: Pneumococcal (PPV) Immunisation Uptake in Wales 2006

Invititation rates

These are assessed using occasional ad-hoc surveys, the last being undertaken in 2004.

Uptake of PCV in scheduled childhood immunisation programme

The uptake of scheduled childhood vaccination in Wales (which includes PCV) is recorded in the COVER (Coverage of Vaccination Evaluation Rapidly) report. This is published on both a quarterly and annual basis. Data for PCV is included from Cover Report 81 (Cover 2006 quarter 4) onwards. All Cover reports can be accessed from the links:

Last updated: 22/04/2010