The pneumococcal vaccination protects against different types of pneumococci bacteria. That means it protects against some forms of meningitis, pneumonia, blood poisoning and middle ear infection. Children receive the pneumococcal vaccination at 3 months, 5 months and 11 months.
The pneumococcal vaccination in summary
| Protects against | Pneumococcal infections |
|---|---|
| Given at | 3 monts, 5 months and 11* months * Children born from January 1, 2024 will receive the third vaccination at 12 months instead of 11 months |
| Period of protection | At least 10 years |
| Most common side effects | Fever, crying, vomiting, sleepiness, diarrhoea, not drinking well and symptoms at the injection site, such as a red, swollen or painful arm |
| When? | Most side effects occur within a day after vaccination and are gone within a couple of days. |
|---|---|
| Happens often |
Fever, crying, vomiting, sleepiness, diarrhoea, not drinking well and symptoms at the injection site, such as a red, swollen or painful arm. |
| Happens sometimes |
|
| Good to know | Your child cannot infect others after the pneumococcal vaccination. |
Nervous about side effects
When your newborn child gets their first vaccinations, you may feel uneasy. There may be side effects. It is good to know that the vaccinations given through the National Immunisation Programme are given in many other countries as well. Studies from all those countries show that these vaccinations are safe. There are no known long-term negative effects.
The pneumococcal vaccine contains parts of 10 types of the bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease. These parts have been made harmless and cannot make you ill.
The page ‘What is in vaccines?’ provides more information on what is in vaccines. The page ‘How does vaccination work?’ provides information on how vaccinations work.
If you are planning a trip outside the Netherlands, you usually do not need to have your child vaccinated early (before the recommended age) – unless that country has a high risk of infectious diseases. Will you be travelling abroad for a short trip or a longer period, and does your child need vaccinations? Check with the youth healthcare services (JGZ) if you need to adjust your child’s vaccination schedule.
Do you have questions about vaccinations that you need for a trip outside the Netherlands? Consult the National Coordination Centre for Travellers Advice (LCR) website (in Dutch). The LCR website includes information on which vaccinations are advisable and where to make an appointment in your area.
If your child is ill, please contact the organisation that will give the vaccination. They can tell you if it is a good idea to get the vaccination right now. Sometimes the vaccination may be postponed for a bit. The vaccination is safe for children with reduced immunity.
Can children with impaired immunity get the pneumococcal vaccination?
The pneumococcal vaccination is extra important for children with reduced immunity as a result of disease or medication. The vaccination is safe for children with impaired immunity, but it may be less effective. Children with these health conditions always have their case supervised by a treating paediatrician, who can provide more information.