Pneumococcal vaccine for babies
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The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against illnesses and conditions caused by pneumococcal bacteria.
What illnesses and conditions are caused by pneumococcal bacteria?
Pneumococcal infection is caused by pneumococcal bacteria. It can cause serious illness such as pneumonia, and is one of the most common causes of meningitis (an infection of the lining of the brain).
Pneumococcal infection can cause:
- bronchitis
- ear and sinus infections
- a life-threatening infection of the blood (septicaemia)
- meningitis
- pneumonia (which can also be life-threatening).
Children under 2 years of age and children with certain health conditions have a higher chance of becoming unwell with pneumococcal infection.
What is pneumococcal disease and why do we need a vaccine? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vaj3rmDNQEU)
In this short film, Dr Andrew Prendergast talks about pneumococcal disease and why it is important to vaccinate against the disease.
How common are pneumococcal bacteria?
Up to 60% of children carry pneumococcal bacteria in the back of their nose and throat. They constantly pass these bacteria around by coughing, sneezing and close contact.
Why should a baby be vaccinated?
The pneumococcal vaccine provides some protection against meningitis caused by pneumococcal infection, and against other conditions such as severe ear infections and pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria.
This vaccine doesn't protect against meningitis caused by other bacteria or viruses.
Who is eligible for the vaccine?
Some children are at an increased risk from pneumococcal infection. All at risk children will be offered the vaccine according to the routine childhood immunisation programme. If you aren't sure about your child's health or need further advice, speak to your health professional.
When will a baby be immunised?
If a baby is eligible, they will be offered the pneumococcal vaccine when they're 12 weeks old, with a booster dose given between 12 and 13 months. The pneumococcal booster dose between 12 and 13 months is usually given at the same time as the Hib/MenC, MMR and MenB vaccines.
In addition to this some children and adults aged from 2 to 64 years old, who are at a higher risk of developing a pneumococcal infection than the general population, will be offered additional pneumococcal vaccinations.
Your local health board will contact you to let you know about their arrangements for the baby's routine childhood immunisations.
Find out how to contact your health board regarding your baby's vaccination appointment
If you’re unsure about anything, or have any questions about the pneumococcal vaccine for babies, contact:
The vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine is the best way to protect babies against infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria.
What vaccine is used?
The Prevenar 13 suspension for injection is routinely used in Scotland.
How effective is the vaccine?
Studies have shown that the pneumococcal vaccine is very effective in protecting your babies against one of the most common causes of meningitis, and against other conditions such as severe ear infections and pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria.
How many doses of the vaccine does my baby need?
A baby will be offered the pneumococcal vaccine when they're 12 weeks old. A second dose is needed to extend this protection when the baby reaches 12 or 13 months of age.
How do we know the vaccine is safe?
All medicines (including vaccines) are tested for safety and effectiveness by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The vaccine meets the high safety standards required for it to be used in the UK and other European countries. The vaccine has been given to millions of people worldwide.
Once they're in use, the safety of vaccines continues to be monitored by the MHRA.
After the vaccine
After having the vaccine there may be side effects. Any reactions are generally minor and disappear within a few days. The vaccine doesn't contain live bacteria and can't cause an infection.
Vaccines protect babies against the risk of very serious infections and should not be delayed.
Side effects
Fever can be expected after any vaccination. Fevers are usually mild, so you only need to give a dose of infant paracetamol if the child isn’t comfortable or is unwell. Read the instructions on the bottle very carefully.
Ibuprofen can also be used to treat a fever and other post-vaccination reactions. Read the instructions on the product packing very carefully. Giving ibuprofen at the time of vaccination to prevent a fever is not effective.
Remember, never give medicines that contain aspirin to children under 16.
Information about treating a fever in children.
In infants who do develop a fever after vaccination, the fever tends to peak around 6 hours after vaccination and is nearly always gone completely within 2 days.
Immediate action required: Call 999 for an ambulance and seek help immediately if:
- the baby has a fit
If you think the baby is serious ill, trust your instincts and seek urgent medical advice.
Urgent advice: Phone your GP immediately if:
- the child has a temperature of 39°C or above
- the child still has a fever 48 hours after vaccination
- you are concerned about the child's health
If your GP is closed, you can contact NHS24 on 111.
The diseases vaccines protect against are very serious and therefore vaccination should not be delayed because of concerns about post-vaccination fever.
Further information and other languages and formats
More information can be found in these leaflets, available in multiple languages and formats:
Last updated:
06 October 2023