Life-threatening pneumococcal infections For whom the vaccination makes sense

Pneumococci: vaccination protects against dangerous infection

According to estimates, approximately 5,000 people die each year from pneumococcal infection in Germany. And although you can protect yourself with a vaccine against the pathogens. Experts explain what has to be considered.

Severe diseases caused by widespread bacteria

Pneumococci are bacteria that are found in many people in the nose and throat - usually without causing any disease. However, if the immune system can not control the pathogens, they can spread and cause infections such as sinusitis or otitis media. However, potentially life-threatening diseases such as meningitis and blood poisoning can also be caused by these bacteria. And much of the pneumonia is also triggered by pneumococci. Nevertheless, too few people are protected against the pathogens, experts point out.

Each year, around 5,000 people die of pneumococcal infection. A vaccine can provide protection. (Image: Richard Villalon / fotolia.com)

5,000 pneumococcal deaths annually

It is estimated that around 5,000 people a year die of pneumococcal infection in Germany. Especially infants and young children are at risk because their immune system is not mature yet.

But even those who are older or have a chronic illness can get sick by the bacteria. There is currently no nationwide reporting obligation for pneumococcal infections.

A total of 97 different types of agents are distinguished. Not all of them are dangerous.

A vaccine can protect against infection.

Health experts of Stiftung Warentest explain on their website, what should be considered.

Meaningful vaccination?

For all persons to whom the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends the pneumococcal vaccine, the health insurance companies bear the costs: for children up to two years and adults over 60 as well as immunodeficiency and people with certain chronic diseases.

The experts of Stiftung Warentest rated the vaccination of children against pneumococci as meaningful, which made the elderly and at-risk patients sensible; from their point of view, the benefits should be better documented.

Two vaccine types are available
According to the information, there are two types of vaccines: polysaccharide - a vaccine made from the sugars of the bacterial envelope - and conjugate - in his case, the polysaccharides are still bound to a protein molecule.

As the Stiftung Warentest writes, polysaccharide vaccines do not work well in children up to the age of two and immune deficiencies.

Therefore, two conjugate vaccines are approved for the little ones: Prevenar, which protects against 13 types of pathogens, and Synflorix, which covers only ten types. The Foundation experts recommend Prevenar.

By contrast, over-60s should be vaccinated with Pneumovax. This is a polysaccharide vaccine that, in addition to the 13 pathogens from Prevenar, also protects against ten more and thus wider.

Since most children are vaccinated against pneumococci, there is a clear "herd protection" for the 13 types of pathogens, which means that high vaccination rates in children also protect the elderly.

In order to better respond to the vaccine, the experts recommend risk patients such as immunocompromised vaccine with both substances.

Healthy people between two and 59 years do not need the vaccine.

Complications are rare

The pneumococcal vaccine is done with dead vaccine, which can be injected in parallel with others, for example with the flu shot - but not in the same arm or thigh.

Children up to two years of age are vaccinated against pneumococci three times during certain months of life.

This is also possible at the same time as another six-shot vaccine (for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough (pertussis), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B).

As the Stiftung Warentest writes, complications from pneumococcal vaccination are very rare. It can cause side effects, but in most cases within a few days are over:

Often the puncture site reddens, swells or hurts. Also common symptoms such as fever and headache may occur.

Furthermore, children are sometimes drowsy, irritable and cry more after the vaccination.

Illnesses are especially in the cold months of the season

Pneumococcal diseases have season especially in the wet and cold season.

The bacteria are transmitted by droplet infection such as coughing and sneezing. (Ad)