Pneumococcal

Make winter worry free

We tend to associate winter ailments with older people. Although more prevalent in winter months, pneumococcal infections can actually strike people of any age, at any time.

That’s why Winnersh Pharmacy & Clinic is making protection easier for all.

The pneumococcal vaccine protects you against pneumococcal infections, which can be dangerous and potentially fatal. It is sometimes called the “pneumo jab” or the pneumonia vaccine.

There are two different types of the vaccine:

• The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – £70
• The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) – £30

We will recommend the most suitable vaccine for you based on your age, health and preference. We also offer the pneumococcal vaccination for patients over the age of two.

Winnersh Pharmacy & Clinic make the pneumococcal  vaccination convenient and accessible for all the community in Cardiff and Pontypool. Book an appointment with a pharmacist to explore your treatment options.

How does it work?

The pneumococcal vaccine works by making your body produce antibodies that fight pneumococcal bacteria. Antibodies destroy organisms or bacteria carrying disease, and help fight off infections.

The NHS estimates that the pneumococcal vaccine is between 50-70% effective in preventing pneumococcal disease.

Who should have the pneumococcal vaccine?

There are 4 groups of people who are advised to get vaccinated against pneumococcal infections:

• babies
• people aged 65 and over
• anyone from the ages of 2 to 64 with a health condition that increases their risk of pneumococcal infection
• anyone at occupational risk, are advised to have the pneumococcal vaccine, including those who work with metal fumes, such as welders and metal workers

Who can’t have the vaccine?

Not everyone can have the pneumococcal vaccine.

You can’t have it if you:

• have a vaccine allergy
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have a fever or temperature at the time of your appointment

Babies and the pneumococcal vaccine

Babies are routinely vaccinated with a type of pneumococcal vaccine known as the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) as part of their childhood vaccination programme.

Babies are usually given the PCV at:

• 12 weeks old
• 1 year old

Adults aged 65 or over and the pneumococcal vaccine

If you’re 65 or over, you should be offered a type of pneumococcal vaccine known as the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV).

This one-off vaccination is very effective at protecting you against serious forms of pneumococcal infection.