Pneumococcal infections are caused by a germ (a kind of bacteria) called Streptococcus pneumoniae. This germ can cause several different infections, including: 

• meningitis (brain infection)
• bacteremia (bloodstream infection)
• pneumonia (lung infection)
• otitis media (middle ear infection)

A vaccine can protect your children from pneumococcal infections.

In Canada, all provinces and territories provide pneumococcal vaccine (brand name: Prevnar, Wyeth Canada) for children, though the schedule varies. Ususally, the shots are given when they are:

• 2 months old
• 4 months old
• 6 months old, and
• 12-15 months old.

Older children can also get the vaccine. Your doctor will tell you the number of shots to give, and when.

The Canadian Paediatric Society and Health Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommend this vaccine for children.

How do pneumococcal diseases spread?

• The germ spreads from the nose and throat of one person to another by close, direct contact like kissing, coughing or sneezing. It can also be spread through saliva (spit) when people share things like food, cups, water bottles, straws or toothbrushes.
• This germ dies quickly when it is outside of the body.
• There's no way to tell who will get sick from this germ. In Canada, between 800 and 1000 people get meningitis and blood infections each year. And there are about 400,000 cases of middle ear infections.
• People with pneumococcal infections need to take antibiotics to get better. But in some cases, even with antibiotics, the germ can cause permanent damage.

How can you tell if you have a pneumococcal infection?

The different pneumococcal infections are described below. It's important to remember that these infections can also be caused by other germs. The pneumococcal vaccine will not protect your child from these infections when they are caused by another germ. 

Meningitis (brain infection)

• Meningitis is a serious disease that infects the brain and spinal cord. 
• Without treatment, all children who get this disease will die or suffer damage that lasts for the rest of their lives.
• Meningitis can cause seizures, deafness or brain damage.
• Symptoms of meningitis include high fever, stiff neck, headache, vomiting, fussiness (crying), and loss of appetite (for example your child may not want to eat anything).

Bacteremia (bloodstream infection)

• Bacteremia is an illness caused when germs (bacteria) get into the blood.
• Sometimes it goes away on its own. But if the germs multiply and travel to other parts of the body, it can cause permanent damage.
• Symptoms are similar to those of meningitis: high fever, stiff neck, headache, vomiting, fussiness, and loss of appetite.

Pneumonia (lung infection)

• Pneumonia causes the lungs to fill with fluid. People with pneumonia have trouble breathing.
• Children who get pneumonia from the pneumococcal germ will have a fever and cough that may bring up thick mucous. They will also become very ill quickly. 

Otitis media (middle ear infection)

• When a person has a middle ear infection, the eardrum turns red, and the space behind it fills with fluid or pus.
• Many different germs can cause ear infections, including the pneumococcal germ.
• Children under 2 years old sometimes get middle ear infections when they have a cold.
• Middle ear infections can cause ear pain, fever, lack of energy, fussiness, and a lack of appetite.

Who should get the pneumococcal vaccine?

Two kinds of pneumococcal vaccine are available. One is for children older than age 5, adolescents and adults. The other vaccine protects against the most common kinds of pneumococci bacteria, and is also recommended for children under 5 years who are more likely to have serious problems from pneumococcal disease. 

Children are most at risk of infection if they:

• are under 2 years old
• have weak immune systems
• have sickle-cell disease or HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)
• have serious problems with their heart, lung, or kidneys
• are missing their spleen, or have other spleen problems
• attend daycare
• have taken antibiotics within the previous 3 months.

How safe is the pneumococcal vaccine?

• Both forms of vaccine are very safe. 
• As with any vaccine, there may be some redness or soreness at the place where the needle went into the arm or leg.
• Some children will have a mild fever after getting the vaccine. Other possible side effects include fussiness, drowsiness, restless sleep, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, rash or hives (itchy red bumps).

Who should NOT get the pneumococcal vaccine?

• People who have had a bad allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine should not get it again. 

For complete information on vaccinations in Canada, read Your Child's Best Shot: A Parent's Guide to Vaccination.

Developed by the CPS Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee

Last updated: July 2007