Pneumococcal infection is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus).

Streptococcus pneumoniae causes a wide range of diseases, more common ones include middle ear infection (acute otitis media) and chest infection (pneumonia). It may also cause various forms of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD), such as infection of the brain membranes (meningitis) and blood stream (bacteraemia and sepsis). The infection can be serious or even life-threatening.

There are several types of pneumococcal vaccines. They are safe and effective.

Newborns should follow the schedule recommended in the "Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme" for vaccination. Parents may consult family doctors or Maternal and Child Health Centres for details.

Elders aged 65 years or above should also get pneumococcal vaccination. They may get either free or subsidised pneumococcal vaccines under the "Government Vaccination Programme" or "Vaccination Subsidy Scheme".

Persons in the high-risk groups should consult their family doctors on having the vaccination for personal protection.

Purchase Remark: Must prescribe and inject by doctors.