There are 90 known strains (serotypes) of the pneumococcal bacterium, but most severe illness is caused by 10 of them.

The Disease

The Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria kills more people in the United States each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined (about 40,000). It is commonly thought of as a disease of the elderly, but it also takes its toll among our children. It is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the country, hitting children under one year old the hardest. About 200 children die from invasive pneumococcal disease each year.

(more about the symptoms and way its spread)

The Immunization

Until very recently, pneumococcal vaccine was recommended mostly for adults over 65 years old, and was not licensed at all for children under 2. This is because the only type of vaccine that was available (pneumococcal "polysaccharide" vaccine) doesn't work very well for young children. Now a different type of vaccine (pneumococcal "conjugate" vaccine) has been licensed that works for children under 2, and it is finally possible to prevent pneumococcal disease in that vulnerable age group.

(more about the immunization and side effects)

Vaccine Recommendations

• AAP: Recommendations for the Prevention of Pneumococcal Infections
• CDC: Preventing Pneumococcal Disease Among Infants and Young Children (Exit Site)

Quick Facts - What You Need to Know

• Why get vaccinated?
• About the vaccine
• Who should get pneumococcal vaccine and when?
• Some people should not get pneumococcal vaccine or should wait
• What are the risks from pneumococcal vaccine?
• What if there is a moderate or severe reaction?

Other Resources

• CDC Pneumococcal page (Exit Site)
• Immunization Action Coalition Pneumococcal page (Exit Site)
• National Network for Immunization Information Pneumococcal page (Exit Site)