Pneumococcal Vaccine
Protect yourself against Pneumococcal disease by getting vaccinated at your local Blooms The Chemist.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Protect yourself against Pneumococcal disease by getting vaccinated at your local Blooms The Chemist.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Protect yourself against Pneumococcal disease by getting vaccinated at your local Blooms The Chemist.
Pneumococcal disease is known as a range of illnesses that impact different parts of the body and are caused by the infection with the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Young children, older people and people who are immunocompromised are the most susceptible to getting this disease.
Here are three things you need to know about pneumococcal disease.
It’s the leading cause of serious illness and death among Australian children under the age of two and Australians over the age of 851.
While pneumococcal can occur at any time, infections are more common in the winter and springtime1.
It’s spread through droplets of saliva or mucus, such as when someone sneezes or coughs1.
Stay protected against pneumococcal disease with a vaccination at your local Blooms The Chemist*.
*Minimum age restrictions apply. Speak to your Pharmacist about the minimum age for child vaccinations. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (parent or guardian must bring photo ID as proof of guardianship).
References
1Better Health Victoria, Pneumococcal disease, accessed 10 February 2023
Pneumococcal Disease FAQS
What is pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcal disease is a range of illnesses, such as ear infection to pneumonia and meningitis.
It is highly infectious and young children, older people and immunocompromised people are at the highest risk of getting pneumococcal disease.
1Better Health Victoria, Pneumococcal disease, accessed 10 February 2023
What are the symptoms of pneumococcal disease?
The symptoms of pneumococcal depend on where the infection is localised and the age of the person. Some symptoms include1:
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Pneumonia, which can cause shortness of breath, fever and lack of energy
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Meningitis, which can cause headache, stiff neck and drowsiness
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Otitis Media, which can cause pain in the ear, crying and fever
1NSW Health, Pneumococcal disease fact sheet, accessed 10 February 2023
How is pneumococcal disease spread?
Pneumococcal is spread through droplets from coughs and sneezes of infected people. Often, the bacteria live harmlessly in the throats of healthy people1.
1NSW Health, Pneumococcal disease fact sheet, accessed 10 February 2023
How do I get diagnosed with pneumococcal disease?
Pneumococcal is diagnosed using a number of tests, including1:
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A physical examination
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A chest x-ray
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A phlegm test
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A blood test
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A urine test
1Better Health Victoria, Pneumococcal disease, accessed 10 February 2023
How is pneumococcal disease treated?
Treatment for pneumococcal includes1:
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Antibiotics, including penicillin
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Pain relieving medication
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Plenty of fluids
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Rest
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In severe cases, hospital admission
1Better Health Victoria, Pneumococcal disease, accessed 10 February 2023
How can I prevent getting pneumococcal disease?
Being vaccinated against pneumococcal is the best way to prevent infection.
Pneumococcal Vaccine FAQS
What is the pneumococcal vaccine?
There are two pneumococcal vaccines available that can help prevent infection against the most common strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae1.
There are currently 90 different recognised strains at the time of writing (February 10, 2023) and there is no vaccine available that can protect against all of them.
1Better Health Victoria, Pneumococcal disease, accessed 10 February 2023
What are some common side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine?
Some common side effects of the vaccine include1:
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Pain, redness and swelling at the injection side
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Mild fever
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An injection-site lump
However, these side effects are usually temporary. If they persist, please reach out to your doctor.
1Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Pneumococcal vaccine, accessed 10 February 2023
Is it recommended that I get the pneumococcal vaccine?
The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends the pneumococcal vaccine for the following people1:
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Routine vaccination in infants and children
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Non-Indigenous adults aged 70 years and over
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 years and over
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Children, adolescents and adults with risk conditions for pneumococcal disease
1Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Pneumococcal vaccine, accessed 10 February 2023
Is the pneumococcal vaccine free for me?
The pneumococcal vaccine is a part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP), which means it is free for the following people1:
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All children at 2, 4 and 12 months of age (3 doses in total)
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An extra dose at 6 months for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who live in Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia or South Australia, in addition to the 3 doses for all children (4 doses in total)
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Children under 12 months who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk of getting serious pneumococcal disease (6 doses in total over a number of years)
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All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years or over (3 doses in total)
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All non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 70 years or over (1 dose)
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All people 12 months and over who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk of getting serious pneumococcal disease (3 doses in total).
You can check here to see if you are eligible to receive a NIP funded vaccine.
If you are eligible for a vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), you may need to confirm with your selected Blooms The Chemist pharmacy about their NIP vaccine stock availability. Please note that there may be a service fee associated with a NIP vaccination.
1Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, Pneumococcal vaccine, accessed 10 February 2023