Pneumococcus is a bacterium that is the most common cause of pneumonia but can also cause sinusitis, otitis and meningitis.
Now Malin Bengnér, who is an infection control doctor in Region Jönköping County, is urging more people to get vaccinated during the spring to avoid serious illness.
– Pneumococcal infections can be serious and therefore we want to offer this vaccine continuously to the residents and not only in connection with the flu vaccinations, says Malin Bengnér who urges everyone from 65 years and older and also risk groups to get vaccinated.
Better effect of refill dose
New in the national guidelines for pneumococcal vaccination is that people who have previously taken the vaccine are encouraged to refill their protection with a new dose if at least five years have passed since the last one.
"Recent studies have shown that the protection decreases over time, but that a refill dose gives a good effect," says Malin Bengnér.
The pneumococcal vaccine can be taken at the same time and together with other vaccines such as against covid-19, influenza or TBE.