pneumovax vaccine

[Spongebob]

I wondered if anyone knew anything about pneumovax vaccine. Its the one for over 2's for pneumococcal meningitis. Im debating between prevenar or this one....but was told by someone at the meningitis trust that pneumovax only lasts 3 years!!!

Pneumococcal vaccination in the UK
Vaccines against pneumococcal disease

There are currently two vaccines that protect against pneumococcal disease1 - a 23-type 'polysaccharide' vaccine for people over the age of two and a newer 7-type 'conjugate' vaccine for children aged two months to five years.

Pneumovax-
23-type 'polysaccharide' vaccine

This vaccine can protect most adults for five years or more against the top 23 disease-causing types of pneumococcal infection. However, it does not work in children under two years old and is less effective in people with immune deficiencies and the under-fives.

Prevenar-
7-type 'conjugate' vaccine

The newer 7-type conjugate vaccine is similar to the successful Hib and Men C vaccines, which provide stronger, more long-term protection than the plain polysaccharide vaccines, even in babies. The vaccine covers the seven types that cause over 80% of serious pneumococcal disease in UK children aged six months to two years and about 75% in the under fives in Europe generally.

This is information from Meningitis rsearch Foundation give them a call i found them alot more helpful than the Meningitis trust.
Their number is 080883344

Sponge - we were told pneumovax is lifelong (when given to an over 5). Used to be repeated after 10 years I think.

sounds like prevenar is the most reliable one then for under 5's