For many infectious diseases, the level of risk varies at different stages of life. You can use the tool below to see your patient’s risk profile for pneumonia. Choose the image that most closely reflects the patients age. The information provided is based on immunisation guidelines from the Department of Health.

Since 2006, as part of the national childhood immunisation programme, all UK children under the age of two years have been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease, providing protection against some of the conditions caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae such as pneumonia.

Before the introduction of routine vaccination, one in every 200 children in the UK was admitted into hospital before their 5th birthday as a result of pneumococcal pneumonia.

In April 2010, the Department of Health replaced the scheduled pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevenar®  with Prevenar 13®  (Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (13-valent, adsorbed)) broadening the protection against pneumococcal disease.

Prevenar 13® offers protection against the same seven strains of pneumococcal bacteria as Prevenar® plus an additional six strains (1, 3, 5, 6A, 7F and 19A), including the potentially life-threatening pneumococcal meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia.

To view our interactive immunisation schedule, showing the current routine childhood vaccinations click here.

Patients should be aware that getting their child vaccinated offers the best protection against meningitis and septicaemia. For further information on vaccination click here.