Pneumococcal vaccination for children
Specialist for pediatrics & adolescent medicine
Pneumococcal vaccination: The pneumococcal vaccine is used to immunize against pneumococcal bacteria to prevent respiratory and other diseases. The PCV15 vaccine is included in the free childhood vaccination program.
- Latest update: August 24, 2026
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Pneumococci are bacteria that colonize the nasopharynx and spread from person to person.
An infection can cause blood poisoning or inflammation (e.g. meningitis, otitis media or pneumonia).
What is pneumococcus?
Pneumococci are Bacteria located in the nasopharynx. They are transmitted between people by droplet infection. In other words, by coughing, sneezing or speaking.
In total there are more than 95 different strains of the pneumococcal bacterium - so-called serotypes. Around 20-30 serotypes are responsible for the majority of serious illnesses worldwide, especially in children under the age of 5 and older adults. Vaccination protects against them.
Important to know: Pneumococcal infections do not always lead to symptoms or illnesses. This is called a "healthy carrier". Nevertheless, the pathogen can be transmitted and may lead to a severe course of the disease in the next person.
Why is vaccination against pneumococcus so important?
A pneumococcal vaccination protects against serious illnesses such as pneumonia and blood poisoning. At the same time, it curbs the spread of such infectious diseases and ensures public health.
Vaccination is particularly important for Risk groups such as infants, young children and the elderly and people with certain illnesses. Our focus at the Glückskind practice is on Child vaccinationbecause the child's immune system is not yet fully mature. This means that babies and small children are particularly at risk.
Out of 10,000 infants 15 unvaccinated children and only three vaccinated children contract a severe pneumococcal infection. This is shown by the Effectiveness against severe progression of diseases.
As already mentioned, pneumococcal infections do not always lead to disease progression. Nevertheless, the pathogen can be transmitted. And through the Severity and frequency of the diseases pneumococci are among the most important infectious diseases.
- Pneumonia (lung inflammation)
- Inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media)
- Meningitis (inflammation of the meninges)
- Blood poisoning (sepsis)
Which pneumococcal vaccines are available?
For people without a special indication - i.e. without an increased risk - the Austrian Federal Ministry a so-called Conjugate vaccine. Several of these are now approved, each covering different serotypes: PCV13, PCV15, PCV20 and PPV23.
In a conjugate vaccine, the serotype-specific capsular polysaccharide is coupled to a carrier protein. This improves the immune response. The vaccines contain Different serotypes in different numbers and thus meet the epidemiological requirements.
PCV vaccines at a glance
PCV15 (15-valent conjugated vaccine): Contains the serotypes that occur particularly frequently in children under 5 years of age. A 2+1 schedule is approved for this vaccine in Austria, which is why it is recommended in preference to PCV20.
PCV20 (Prevenar20): Contains an extended selection of serotypes. These occur in children and adolescents in some countries. A 3+1 regimen is recommended for this.
PPV23 (Pneumovax23): This vaccine is recommended for certain risk groups. These include children from the age of 2 with certain chronic or congenital diseases.
Pneumococcal vaccination for children
The pneumococcal vaccination is generally recommended for risk groups such as infants, young children, the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions or occupational risks. For children up to the age of two, it is recommended in the free vaccination program for health risks up to the age of five.
The pneumococcal vaccination can also be administered to infants and small children with the six-way vaccination. The vaccination is generally recommended in 2+1 scheme. This means two vaccinations two months apart and a third after 6 months at the earliest - more on this below.
In a conjugate vaccine, the serotype-specific capsular polysaccharide is coupled to a carrier protein. This improves the immune response. The vaccines contain Different serotypes in different numbers and thus meet the epidemiological requirements.
Current vaccination recommendation in Austria
According to the Vaccination plan Austria a conjugate vaccine is recommended for people without a specific indication. This couples to a carrier protein and thus improves the immune response. The following are particularly suitable for infants and young children PCV15 according to the 2+1 scheme.
However, this depends on the Age at first vaccination an. If the first dose was administered from the age of one but before the age of two, the third dose is omitted. If the first dose was administered from the age of three, the second and third doses are omitted.
In detail this means:
- First vaccination in the 1st year of life1st dose at the age of six weeks, 2nd dose two months later, 3rd dose at the age of 11 to 15 months - at the earliest six months after the 2nd dose.
- First vaccination in the 2nd year of life2 doses two months apart.
- First vaccination in the 3rd to 5th year of lifesingle vaccination with PCV15.
Booster vaccination
The attending physician decides whether a booster vaccination against pneumococci is necessary individually depending on the personal health situation. No routine booster vaccination is planned for healthy people without particular risk factors.
Otherwise Special recommendations for risk groups:
Children under 5 yearsAfter basic immunization, an additional vaccination with PPSV23 is recommended from the 2nd birthday. 1st dose at the earliest 6 to 12 months after the last conjugate vaccination. A repeat vaccination can be given every 6 years if the risk continues to exist.
Children from 5 years and adultsSequential vaccination with PCV20 or PCV15 and PPV23 at least 8 weeks after the last vaccination.
The protective effect of the vaccine decreases after about five years. However, for children and adolescents with special indications, a Interval of at least six years between vaccinations is recommended. This is because shorter intervals can lead to stronger local reactions. If indicated, repeat vaccinations are planned every six years.
Vaccination procedure against pneumococci in our practice
The first step is a medical consultation, a health check and consent to the pneumococcal vaccination. The vaccination itself is then carried out, followed by brief observation and aftercare.
During the consultation, the doctor will provide information about the clinical picture, the Benefits of the vaccination and possible side effects. This will also check which vaccine is suitable. During the health check, the child is clinically examined to rule out acute illnesses.
The vaccination against pneumococci is then given as Injection into the upper arm or, in the case of toddlers and babies, also in the Thigh. A dose of 0.5 ml is usually administered. The vaccination therefore only takes a few seconds.
After the vaccination, the vaccinated person remains in the practice for about 15 minutes for observation. Frequent vaccination reactions such as redness at the injection site, fever, irritability, loss of appetite or sleep disturbances are possible. However, they are generally considered harmless and show that the immune system is reacting to the vaccine.
Nevertheless, you should also keep an eye on the symptoms in the following days and, in the event of stronger or longer-lasting reactions medical advice obtain the vaccine. Also make sure that your children take it easy physically for one or two days after the vaccination.
Frequently asked questions and answers
How often do I need to be vaccinated against pneumococcus?
This depends on age and possible risk factors. In healthy children, one Vaccination series in 2+1 scheme from. For risk groups, repeat vaccinations are recommended every six years after vaccination.
What is a sequential vaccination?
With a sequential vaccination two different vaccines administered at fixed intervals - e.g. first a conjugated vaccine (PCV15 or PCV20), followed by a polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23). This provides broader and longer-lasting protection, especially for people at risk.
What diseases does pneumococcus cause?
Pneumococcal diseases can cause serious illnesses such as Pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media and blood poisoning cause.
What are the side effects of the pneumonia vaccine?
Common side effects and complaints associated with vaccinations are Redness at the injection site, fever, irritability, reduced appetite or sleep disturbances. However, these reactions are usually harmless and a sign that the immune system is responding to the vaccination.