Pneumococcal vaccination

- Automatic translation

Pneumococci/pneumonia-causing bacteria are common bacteria that cause respiratory infections such as sinusitis, ear infections, and pneumonia, but can in some cases, break through the respiratory tract and cause bloodstream infections, meningitis, bone and joint infections, and more. These are collectively referred to as invasive infections and can be life-threatening.

Vaccines have been developed against the types of pneumococci that are most likely to cause invasive disease.

Children in Iceland are vaccinated against pneumococci as part of the childhood immunization schedule, but vaccination may also be recommended for older individuals or with broader-coverage vaccines when specific risk factors are present.

The guidelines include, among other things, recommendations on vaccine selection when risk factors are present, as there have been significant changes in vaccine availability over the past two years.

Pneumococcal vaccination outside the national schedule is paid for by the individual receiving it.