Pneumococcal
Pneumococcal meningitis is the second most common form of bacterial meningitis in the UK. It is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae which can also cause ear infections and pneumonia. Although pneumococcal meningitis is less common than meningococcal meningitis, it is a lot more life-threatening.
One in six children who contract pneumococcal meningitis will die and half of those who survive will be left with severe disabilities such as deafness, brain damage and seizures. Pneumococcal meningitis can also be accompanied by septicaemia, the blood-poisoning form of the disease.
Pneumococcal bacteria
Young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting pneumococcal disease.
A pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was introduced into the Childhood Immunisation Programme across the UK in 2006. This protects against seven of the most common strains of the pneumococcus.
Two new pneumococcal vaccines are also in development: Wyeth's Prevnar 13 which protects against 13 subtypes and Glaxo Smith Kline's Synflorix which protects against 10 subtypes.
Meningitis UK supports the Pneuomococcal Awareness Council of Experts
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