The present invention relates to synthetic saccharides of general formula (I) that are related to Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 8 capsular polysaccharide, conjugates thereof and the use of said saccharides and conjugates for raising a protective immune response in a human and/or animal host. Furthermore, the synthetic saccharide structures of general formula (I) are useful as marker in immunological assays for detection of antibodies against Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.