Gavin went for the second of his pneumococcal vaccinations today. The pneumococcal vaccination is not a compulsory one but we opted to get it since it protects against some pretty serious illnesses like meningitis, septicaemia and severe pneumonia should Gavin contract the nasty bugs called Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Immunisation against Streptococcus pneumoniae is important because this bacteria is becoming resistant to antibiotics. Pneumococcal infections commonly affect the elderly and the young and is now one of the most common invasive bacterial infections in children.

The NHS states that:

• Pneumococcal pneumonia is the cause of over 4500 hospital admissions each year in children under five years of age (Melegaro et al., 2006).
• At least 16 and as many as 53 children under two years of age die from invasive pneumococcal disease in England and Wales each year (Health Protection Agency; Ispahani P et al., 2004).
• Of those young children who survive pneumococcal meningitis, about 50 or so are left with permanent disability, including deafness, intellectual impairment, speech and language problems, paralysis, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and blindness (Bedford et al., 2001).

The pneumococcal vaccine has been in use in The States since 2000. It has an excellent safety record and has so far provided good long term protection against pneumococcal disease. According to Dr Azam (the paediatrician who first told us about the pneumococcal vaccination) the vaccination is now compulsory in the States and while it is not compulsory locally he highly recommended that we give it to Gavin.

For more information on the pneumococcal vaccination, ask your Paediatrician or visit NHS and read their fact sheet.

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