kent nickell
Well-known member
http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/patient/AD_047___JUL23_04.pdf
Patient Information
PROVIDED BY: NATIONAL CENTRE FOR IMMUNISATION RESEARCH AND
SURVEILLANCE
Pneumococcal vaccination for children older than two
THE pneumococcal bacteria can cause ear infections, pneumonia and more serious invasive disease such as meningitis and septicaemia. In Australia it is estimated that three in every 1000 children will have at least one episode of invasive pneumococcal disease by age five, and every year hundred of children are hospitalised for treatment of pneumococcal infection.
An effective vaccine is available that protects against the seven types of pneumococcal bacteria, which cause 85% of invasive pneumococcal disease in children younger than five. The Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule recommends vaccinating all Australian children at ages two, four and six months. It also recommends all children up to age two are vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. The Federal Government recently announced that it would fund a program of universal, childhood pneumococcal vaccination from next year. All babies born after 1 January 2005 will be eligible for free vaccination at two, four and six months, and children born after 1 January 2003 will be eligible for a catch-up program to begin at the same time.
However, the following information may be helpful in deciding whether to vaccinate children aged over two years. The vaccine is safe, with the most common side effect being a local reaction at the injection site. Healthy children older than 18 months require a single dose of vaccine. The vaccine is expensive but prevents a serious disease, which can be life-threatening.
Patient Information
PROVIDED BY: NATIONAL CENTRE FOR IMMUNISATION RESEARCH AND
SURVEILLANCE
Pneumococcal vaccination for children older than two
THE pneumococcal bacteria can cause ear infections, pneumonia and more serious invasive disease such as meningitis and septicaemia. In Australia it is estimated that three in every 1000 children will have at least one episode of invasive pneumococcal disease by age five, and every year hundred of children are hospitalised for treatment of pneumococcal infection.
An effective vaccine is available that protects against the seven types of pneumococcal bacteria, which cause 85% of invasive pneumococcal disease in children younger than five. The Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule recommends vaccinating all Australian children at ages two, four and six months. It also recommends all children up to age two are vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. The Federal Government recently announced that it would fund a program of universal, childhood pneumococcal vaccination from next year. All babies born after 1 January 2005 will be eligible for free vaccination at two, four and six months, and children born after 1 January 2003 will be eligible for a catch-up program to begin at the same time.
However, the following information may be helpful in deciding whether to vaccinate children aged over two years. The vaccine is safe, with the most common side effect being a local reaction at the injection site. Healthy children older than 18 months require a single dose of vaccine. The vaccine is expensive but prevents a serious disease, which can be life-threatening.