Prevenar 13 is indicated for active immunisation for the prevention of invasive disease and pneumonia caused byStreptococcus pneumoniaein adults ≥ 18 years of age and the elderly. The use of Prevenar 13 should be determined on the basis of official recommendations taking into consideration the risk of invasive disease and pneumonia in different age groups, underlying comorbidities as well as the variability of serotype epidemiology in different geographical areas.¹

• Each year in the UK, 5 to 10 in every 1000 adults get community-acquired pneumonia. Pneumonia can be caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial cause.^2,3
• People can choose to pay privately to help protect themselves with Prevenar 13 vaccine. 

• Aged>45 years: The risk of contracting pneumococcal pneumonia increases from the age of 45 onwards.^4,5
• Smoking³: Smokers are 4.4 times* more likely to develop pneumonia than someone who has never smoked.⁶ 
• Exposure to lots of people in close contact⁷: This could include the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. For example, a 2.7 fold increase in nasal carriage rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae was reported in pilgrims returning from Hajj in 2012.⁸
• Travelling: Many of the world’s most popular tourist destinations⁹, including South Asia and parts of Africa are also home to higher levels of pneumococcal infections.^10,11 Some countries, like China and Thailand, do not routinely immunise against pneumococcal disease.¹²
• Chronic conditions including respiratory disease, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease^6,13 and asthma⁶.
• Those who have already had pneumonia : People who have had pneumonia in the past are twice as likely to get pneumonia again compared with people who have never had pneumonia.¹⁴
• Those with a flu infection: During a flu infection, and for up to one week after, you are around 100 times more likely to develop pneumococcal pneumonia.¹⁵

References