Invasive pneumococcal infections

In children

Meningitis, septicaemia, pneumonia and other invasive pneumococcal infections are serious infections caused by a bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae, of which there are many serotypes. This germ is the main cause of bacterial meningitis (inflammation of the meninges) in children under 2 years of age.

Pneumococcus is also responsible for septicaemia and bacteraemia (blood infections) and pneumonia (lung infections) in children, the elderly and people in high-risk groups (those with immune deficiencies, no spleen, etc.). These infections can be fatal or leave serious sequelae.

Pneumococcus is transmitted through respiratory droplets, spittle, saliva or direct contact with a person carrying the bacterium.

Vaccination with the paediatric conjugate vaccine provides long-lasting protection for children against invasive infections caused by the pneumococcal serotypes included in the vaccine (at least 13 different serotypes).

Vaccination of people over 65 years of age and people at risk is also recommended.

• See dedicated page: Invasive pneumococcal infections in adults.

Vaccination schedule

• Vaccination: 2 months, 4 months and 11 months
• Booster: catch-up for children belonging to a risk group at 5-6 years of age, if not previously done

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is administered by injection and is recommended from 2 months of age. The vaccination schedule recommends administration to infants at 2, 4 and 11 months.

Children at high risk of infection benefit from the 3 + 1 vaccination schedule (2, 3 and 4 months, booster at 12 months).

The risk groups concerned are: chronic cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic and renal diseases, diabetes, immune deficiencies, HIV infection, defects or fistulas of the cerebro-meningeal barrier, sickle cell disease/asplenia, cochlear implants, premature babies born before 32 weeks (gestational age), birth weight below 1500 g.

Vaccination in adults is also recommended as part of vaccination for specific target groups.

• See dedicated page: Invasive pneumococcal infections in adults.