Since July 2020 the two categories have been consolidated into one list of risk factors, no distinction is made any more between category A or B.


Category A: Conditions associated with the  highest increased risk of IPD

Category B: Conditions associated with an increased risk of IPD

* See also 3.3.3  Vaccination of immunocompromised persons for more recommendations for immunocompromised persons, including more specific revaccination recommendations for haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

† Recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination differ for those aged >5 years (but not for those aged <5 years) between categories in this table, i.e. depending on whether the person is in ‘Category A: Conditions associated with the highest increased risk of IPD’ or ‘Category B: Conditions associated with an increased risk of IPD’. See also relevant sections below.

‡ HSCT recipients require 3 doses of 13vPCV post transplantation, followed by 23vPPV, irrespective of previous vaccine doses received (see Table 3.3.3  Recommendations for revaccination following HSCT in children and adults, irrespective of previous immunisation history ).

§ All infants born at <28 weeks gestation should receive vaccines recommended for those up to age 5 years with a medical condition(s) associated with an increased risk of IPD, according to Table 4.13.1. Thereafter, they only require further pneumococcal vaccine doses if they have chronic lung disease, and/or other chronic medical conditions as specified above.

Tobacco smoking is not a medical condition, but is associated with an increased risk of IPD.