General Information on Pneumococcal Disease

Approximately 5,000-6,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) are reported annually to the Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections (CfI). There is a marked seasonal pattern with the greatest number of reports occurring in December and January each year. In addition there are an estimated 40,000 hospitalisations due to pneumococcal pneumonia, 40,000 GP consultations for pneumococcal related community acquired pneumonia and over 63,000 for pneumococcal otitis media in England and Wales each year.

An Enhanced Surveillance Programme, which began in 1996, reconciles data on invasive pneumococcal isloates collected by the Respiratory and Systemic Infection Laboratory (RSIL) and the Immunisation department at CfI.

Detailed epidemiological data on invasive isolates found in the 65 year old and over population and  the under 5 population are also gathered.

There are currently two licensed vaccines used in the UK; the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) and the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV).  All those aged 65 and over are now recommended to be vaccinated with PPV. PCV is currently recommended for those under 5 years of age falling into a group at higher risk of invasive pneumococcal disease. PPV vaccine is recommended for those in a risk group from 5 to 65 years of age

Changes to the Routine Childhood Immunisation programme to include the PCV for all children from two months of age will be effective as of 4th September 2006.

The Centre for Infections annually collects PPV uptake data on the 65 and over population on behalf of the Department of Health each year to estimate the impact and effectiveness of the vaccine programme.

Last reviewed: 19 August 2010