Before the introduction of a routine vaccination against pneumococcal disease in 2006, pneumococcal infection killed approximately one child every week and left many more disabled. Pneumococcal infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most commonly reported bacterial cause of acute otitis media accounting for 28-55% of cases.

All children under the age of five in the UK are offered vaccinations against key diseases, as part of the national childhood immunisation programme. UK children are among the first worldwide to benefit from a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that covers 13 types of pneumococcal disease.

Immunisation through the administration of a vaccine stimulates the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. The pneumococcal vaccine encourages the child’s body to produce antibodies against pneumococcal bacteria.

Antibodies are proteins that help protect your child by neutralising or destroying disease-carrying organisms and toxins. The vaccine protects against most pneumococcal bacteria, although there is no guarantee that they will be immune to all types.

It is estimated that between two and three million deaths throughout the world are averted through immunisation each year. 

The UK immunisation programme continues to evolve, meeting the demand to improve the control of infectious diseases through vaccination. Today’s child has the broadest available protection against pneumococcal disease. 

Click Immunisation Schedule to view our interactive wheel showing the current routine childhood vaccinations.

To find further information on vaccination and how the latest pneumococcal vaccine, approved by the Department of Health in 2010, protects children against 13 strains of pneumococcal bacteria click on Protect.

Did you know?

• The use of a dummy could slow recovery rate from ear infections in children
• Passive smoking is a known risk factor for ear infections in children
• Breastfeeding for the first 12 months is associated with fewer ear infections

Treatment Guidelines

Here is the current advice and information from the Department of Health on otitis media. If you are in any doubt about your or your child’s condition, please see your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

• Around 80% of cases of acute otitis media clear up within three days without any treatment
• Perforated eardrums usually heal by themselves
• Over-the-counter pain-killing drugs like paracetamol or ibuprofen control pain and fever
• Aspirin should not be given to children under the age of 16
• Long-term antibiotics can help prevent long-term or recurrent otitis media but they have side-effects and research has not been able to prove they are the best treatment
• Nose drops containing decongestants or antihistamines may be used to reduce the swelling in the nose and back of the throat
• For children with recurrent severe otitis media, tiny tubes may be inserted through the eardrum to help drain fluid. These tubes are known as grommets but are not recommended in all cases
• The removal of the adenoids and tonsils may help if they are blocking the entrance to the Eustachian tube