The streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus bacteria cause ear infection, sinusitis as well as more severe conditions, such as pneumonia, meningitis and blood poisoning. The pneumococcal vaccine has been part of the children’s vaccination programme since 2010. The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for everyone over the age of 65 as well as people belonging to risk groups. A person with diabetes is also part of a risk group.
Through the national vaccination programme, the pneumococcal vaccine is available free of charge to all children under the age of 5, those aged 65–84 with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as those under 75 who are severely immunocompromised. Otherwise, you can buy it in a pharmacy against a prescription. The vaccination can be administered by a public health nurse or registered nurse. It can be given together with a flu vaccine. Usually, there is no need to repeat the pneumococcal vaccine except in exceptional situations.