Northland doctors welcome new vaccine

Northland doctors have welcomed a new vaccine against pneumococcal disease, which they say will have major health benefits for Northlanders.

From 1 June, all babies starting their routine immunisations at six weeks of age will be eligible to receive the pneumococcal vaccine. Those born between 1 January 2008 and 1 June will also be able to receive the free vaccine, called Prevenar, from their family doctor.

Pneumococcal disease can lead to meningitis, blood poisoning and pneumonia. It is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can also cause less severe infections such as sinusitis or otitis media (middle ear infection). When it attacks other parts of the body it becomes "invasive", resulting in the more serious infections, all of which are life-threatening.

It is a separate disease to meningococcal B, the subject of a previous nationwide immunisation programme, which is caused by a different micro-organism. New Zealand has relatively high rates of the invasive pneumococcal disease, with 151 children aged under five contracting invasive pneumococcal disease during 2006.

Dr Roger Tuck, Northland District Health Board's Clinical Director of Child, Youth and Maternal Health, welcomed the vaccine as a major step forward in protecting Northlanders against serious disease. He said that while the vaccine was aimed at babies, the effects would be felt by the whole population as it would significantly reduce the amount of the bacteria in the population.

Dr Tuck said: "Overseas studies have shown that vaccinating babies and children against this disease has a significant impact on the wider population, especially older people. The new vaccine will benefit older as well as younger people, by significantly reducing the chance of the disease being contracted by elderly people."

Dr Jonathan Jarman, Northland DHB's Medical Officer of Health, said that pneumococcal disease was an important issue in Northland, and urged parents to take advantage of the free vaccinations. He said: "Last year we had 27 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease in Northland and many of these were children under the age of two years. Northland has one of the highest rates of invasive pneumococcal disease in New Zealand."

The pneumococcal vaccine will be given to babies at six weeks, three months and five months as part of the standard New Zealand infant immunisation schedule.

Facts about pneumococcal disease

What are the symptoms of serious pneumococcal disease?

Early stages of invasive pneumococcal infections may look like a case of influenza but can progress very quickly (within hours) and they always result in hospitalisation.

• Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common invasive form. Pneumonia starts with a sudden fever with shaking chills, chest pain, productive cough, shortness of breath and rapid breathing. As the infection worsens the heart rate increases and hypoxia (lack of oxygen) may be present. This can be life threatening.
• Pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia are also very serious outcomes. The signs of infection are the same as meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning) caused by other bacteria and need immediate medical attention. A baby or child may have a fever, be crying or unsettled, refuse drinks or feeds, vomit, be sleepy, floppy or difficult to wake, dislike bright lights, have a rash or spots.
• Pneumococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning) often accompanies pneumonia or meningitis in infants under two years of age. The bacteria can also occasionally infect the heart muscle and very rarely affect other sites in the body such as joints and the abdominal cavity.

 

How do you catch it?

The bacteria are carried in the nose and throat and easily passed from person to person by coughing, sneezing and close contact.

How serious is it?

Ear infections are painful, and complications can lead to deafness and learning difficulties.
The elderly and children under five years have the highest risk of serious invasive disease. These infections can be difficult to treat because some of the bacteria are resistant to some antibiotics.

How common is invasive pneumococcal disease in children?

Pneumonia hospitalises many children every year with high rates in those up to five years old. Auckland studies found nearly two from every 1,000 children under two years are hospitalised with invasive pneumococcal disease. For Maori and Pacific children the rate is slightly higher, with nearly three out of 1,000 Pacific children aged under two years hospitalised.

Who is most at risk?

The risk of serious disease is highest in infants and elderly, and those with predisposing conditions. All healthy children under the age of five are at risk from pneumococcal disease, particularly Maori, Pacific and those attending early childhood services. Children with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable to pneumococcal disease.

How do you prevent infection?

It is extremely difficult to avoid catching such a common bacteria but good hygiene practices - covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing and avoiding smoking and overcrowded living conditions may help.





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For further information, please contact:

Clare Blackburn, Communications Manager

Northland District Health Board 

Phone (09) 430 4101 ext 3315