Vulnerable Patient Groups
Some conditions increase a person's risk for pneumococcal disease1
As per the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) guidelines, the below conditions are associated with an increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease.1
High risk1
- Asplenia, hyposplenia (including splenectomy, sickle cell disease, haemoglobinopathies, and coeliac disease)
- Cancer patients under hospital supervision
- Chronic renal disease or nephrotic syndrome
- Cochlear implant candidates and recipients
- Complement deficiency (particularly C1-C4)
- CSF leaks (congenital or complicating skull fracture or neurosurgery)
- Haematopoietic stem-cell transplant
- Immunosuppressive conditions (e.g. some B- and T-cell disorders, HIV infection, leukaemia, lymphoma), and those receiving immunosuppressive therapies or corticosteroids.
- Intracranial shunt
- Solid organ transplant
Medium risk1
- Children under 5 years of age following invasive pneumococcal disease
- Chronic heart, lung, or liver disease
- Diabetes mellitus requiring insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs
- Down syndrome
- Occupational exposure to metal fumes (i.e. welders)
- Smokers and alcoholics
Reference
- NIAC Guidelines Chapter 16: Pneumococcal Infection
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PP-PNA-IRL-0012 Preparation Date: March 2022