Getting your child vaccinated is the best way to protect against unpleasant and often dangerous diseases. Without vaccinations, children are much more vulnerable to serious infections.

In 2006, the UK government introduced a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine into the childhood immunisation schedule providing protection against 7 of the most serious types of pneumococcal infection. 

The latest pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, approved by the Department of Health in 2010, protects children against 13 strains of pneumococcal bacteria, so today’s child has the broadest available protection against pneumococcal infection. Pneumococcal infection is a common cause of pneumonia.

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

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.

To find further information on vaccination click here.

Did you know?

• In the UK today, pneumonia affects up to 11 in 1,000 adults each year
• 1 in 20 people contracting the condition die from it
• Between 22% and 42% of adults with pneumonia are admitted to hospital
• The incidence varies markedly with age, being much higher in the very young and older adults
• The UK has one of the highest deaths rates from pneumonia in Europe
• Between 1.2% and 10% of adults admitted to hospital with community-acquired pneumonia are managed on an intensive care unit

Treatment guidelines

Here is the current advice and information from the Department of Health on treating pneumonia.  If you are in any doubt about your or your child’s condition, please see your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
If you suspect you have pneumonia call or visit your GP. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you, e.g. tap on your chest and listen to how your breathing sounds with a stethoscope. Antibiotics may be prescribed and you may be referred to a hospital depending on the degree of seriousness of your illness.

• Mild pneumonia can usually be treated with antibiotics at home, as bacteria are the most common cause
• Although antibiotic treatment usually works, you may continue to cough for two to three weeks after you finish the antibiotics
• You may feel tired for even longer, as your body continues to recover

Let your GP know if your symptoms do not begin to get better within two days of starting treatment. For example, your symptoms may not have improved because:

• The bacteria causing the infection may be resistant to the antibiotics. Your doctor may change to a different antibiotic, or they may start treatment with a second antibiotic while you continue to take the first one
• A virus may be causing the infection, rather than bacteria. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses. Your body's immune system will have to fight the viral infection by creating antibodies to it

Some people may need hospital treatment, if their symptoms are severe.
The following self-help steps below may help to ease some of your symptoms:

• You can take painkillers such as paracetamol to relieve any pain and reduce a fever
• Cough medicines are not recommended as coughing enables you to clear mucus from your lungs
• A warm drink of honey and lemon can help relieve the discomfort caused by coughing
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and get plenty of rest to help your body recover
• If you smoke, it is more important than ever to stop as smoking damages your lungs
• Once your symptoms improve, it may take some time for you to recover fully
• Speak with your GP if you are concerned