Pneumococcus is a significant cause of severe bacterial infections, such as meningitis and sepsis. Pneumococcus infection is often the cause of middle ear infections in young children. Pneumonia and systemic infections caused by pneumococcus, which spreads via respiratory droplets, constitute the most significant fatal infectious diseases besides influenza. There is a significant risk of death associated with bacterial pneumonia and sepsis particularly in the elderly. The vaccine is included in the National Vaccination Programme for young children. It is also offered free of charge to persons who have received a stem cell transplant, to those under 75 years of age who are severely immunocompromised or suffer from severe nephrotic disease (GFR ≤ 30, nephrotic syndrome) and to 65-84 years old patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Lääkeinfo.fi: Synflorix (in Finnish)
  • Conjugate vaccine (PCV10) for children under five years of age
  • For infants as part of the National Vaccination Programme
• Lääkeinfo.fi: Prevenar 13 (in Finnish)
  • Conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for children and adults
  • In the National Vaccination Programme for stem cell transplant patients, for those under 75 years of age who are severely immunocompromised or suffer from severe nephrotic disease and for those 65-84 years old patients with asthma or COPD
  • Recommended for risk groups (available from pharmacies by prescription)
• Lääkeinfo.fi: Prevenar 20 (in Finnish)
  • Conjugate vaccine (PCV20) for children and adults
  • In the National Vaccination Programme for stem cell transplant patients, for those under 75 years of age who are severely immunocompromised or suffer from severe nephrotic disease and for those 65-84 years old patients with asthma or COPD
  • Recommended for risk groups (available from pharmacies by prescription)
• Lääkeinfo.fi: Vaxneuvance (in Finnish)
  • Conjugate vaccine (PCV15) for children and adults
  • Recommended for risk groups (available from pharmacies by prescription)
• Lääkeinfo.fi: Pneumovax (in Finnish)
  • Polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) for children over two years of age and adults
  • As a booster and supplementary vaccine for individuals who have previously received the conjugate vaccine, at the physician’s discretion
    • In the National Vaccination Programme for stem cell transplant patients and 2–4-year-old children in risk groups
    • For members of risk groups and people over 65 years of age from pharmacies by prescription
• THL, Infectious diseases: Pneumococcus (in Finnish)
• THL, Immunisation: Pneumococcal vaccines