Guidance

Pneumococcal: the green book chapter

Pneumococcal immunisation information for public health professionals.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 20 March 2013
• Last updated: 5 August 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 5 August 2026

     Updated following the MHRA approval of Capvaxive (PCV21) and JCVI advice on people experiencing homelessness.

  2. 6 August 2025

     The previous PDF version of this chapter has been removed following the cessation of the 12-month Hib/MenC vaccine dose from 1 July 2025.

  3. 13 June 2025

     Updated to reflect changes to the childhood immunisation programme from 1 July 2025.

  4. 14 August 2023

     Updated to include new conjugate vaccines, latest IPD incidence data, new section on recommendations for the routine use of pneumococcal vaccines.Updated information for individuals with cochlear implants.

  5. 15 June 2022

     Removed the Pneumococcal: the green book, chapter 25 (for infants born up to and including 31 December 2019).

  6. 13 January 2020

     Added the revised chapter for infants born on or after 1 January 2020.

  7. 16 January 2018

     The risk group section (pg 8) has been rewritten for clarity and pneumococcal vaccine and supplier information updated.

  8. 3 March 2017

     Updated background information and clarification on the immunisation schedule, and advise for children and adults in at risk groups (version 6).

  9. 4 December 2013

     This chapter has been largely rewritten to bring it into line with the latest advice from Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

  10. 19 April 2013

      Updated the Body text to include a link to National Archives (chapter update patches) and NHS Choices.

  11. 20 March 2013

      First published.

Documents

Pneumococcal: the Green book chapter

PDF, 136 KB, 14 pages

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Details

Pneumococcal disease is the term used to describe infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (also called pneumococcus). S. pneumoniae is an encapsulated gram-positive coccus.