Pneumo, or Pneumococcal disease, is a major cause of illness and death in Ireland, particularly among the very young, the elderly and those with a weakened immune system.1
In Ireland, 57% of people are unaware that Pneumococcal disease is vaccine preventable.2 Under the National (PPV23) Immunisation Programme, the pneumococcal vaccine is free if you’re over 65 or in an at-risk group.3
Watch and learn about Pneumo or Pneumococcal disease including a video with Dr. Gary Stack who talks about the National Pneumococcal PPV23 Immunisation Programme.
Like the common cold, pneumococcal disease is spread by close contact through coughing and sneezing.1,3 Pneumo is caused by a common bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can attack different parts of the body.1
People can carry the pneumo bug in their nose and throat without being sick and can easily spread the bacteria to others.1
This can cause many types of illnesses that range from mild to very severe.1 When pneumococcal bacteria spreads from the nose and throat to ears or sinuses, it generally causes mild infections.1 When it spreads into other parts of the body, it can lead to severe health problems like pneumonia and meningitis.1
If the pneumococcal bacteria infect the lungs, they can cause pneumonia.1,3 When they invade the blood stream, they cause bacteraemia and when they invade the brain, they cause meningitis.1,3 Pneumococcal disease is a very serious disease.4
It is a major cause of pneumonia in communities throughout Ireland and also causes3:
Everyone is at risk of getting pneumococcal disease but the biggest risk factor is age1 with older people and very young people most at risk from infection. Conditions and other factors that also increase the risk for invasive pneumococcal disease include diabetes, asthma, chronic heart disease, a weakened immune system and patients receiving chemotherapy. 3
Over the years, Streptococcus pneumoniae has become resistant to many medications making the treatment of pneumococcal infections much more difficult. Prevention of disease through our National Immunisation Programmes is more important than ever.1,3
Pneumococcal disease is very serious. Those in the following at risk groups should be vaccinated with Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV23)3,4
PPV23 vaccination is not recommended for healthy children and adults as they are at low risk of pneumococcal disease3,4
KNOW HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST PNEUMO IN LATER LIFE WHEN YOU ARE MOST AT RISK.
Pneumococcal vaccines which can help protect certain populations against Pneumococcal disease are available through the National (PPV23) Immunisation Programme.3,4
The vaccine is free of charge for those for whom it is officially recommended such as people over the age of 65 and in identified at-risk groups, such as those with diabetes, heart disease or respiratory conditions.3
Outside the childhood immunisation programme, pneumococcal vaccination is usually a single vaccination for those at-risk,
but re-vaccination may be required for some people in certain at-risk groups.3,4
The vaccine can be received when getting your annual flu vaccination or any other time that you visit your doctor’s surgery.3,4
Know Pneumo and find out more about pneumococcal disease, speak to your doctor or pharmacist today and ask how you can protect yourself from Pneumo.
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