Podgorica, (MINA) – The pneumococcal vaccine, which is to be administered in order to reduce the risk of middle ear infections, meningitis, bacteremia and pneumonia, will become a part of Montenegro’s vaccination schedule starting this year.

According to the Immunization Schedule for this year, adopted by the Ministry of Health, the vaccination against streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus) is expected to start in April or May.

Epidemiologist Milko Joksimovic told the MINA News Agency that the pneumococcal vaccine protects against invasive pneumococcal diseases, but also that its introduction contributes to reduction of antibiotics use, which, as he explains, is valuable in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

He said that infants are targeted as the primary age-group to be included in the pneumococcal vaccine immunization process, adding that children younger than two will also be included through the catch-up vaccination.

“According to clinical indications, there is no upper age limit for this vaccine, but in fact only the vaccination in individual cases is carried out with persons who have certain conditions or diseases”, explains Joksimovic.