The Disease

The disease is caused by a common bacterium, streptococcus pneumoniae, and can attack different parts of the body. Pneumococcal infections are most common in infants, young children, and the elderly and usually occur during winter months and early spring.

Pneumococci are a common cause of sinus infections (sinusitis), community-acquired pneumonia, "pink eye" (conjunctivitis), and meningitis. In addition, pneumococcal disease causes 25% - 40% of all middle ear infections (otitis media) in children. Middle ear infections are responsible for more visits to a pediatrician than any other complaint, and they are the number one reason for prescribing antibiotics to children.

All children are susceptible to pneumococcal disease, but some groups have higher rates of the disease, including African Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and children with certain medical conditions such as sickle cell disease or HIV infection, or who don't have a functioning spleen.

The pneumococcal bacteria are spread from person to person, mainly through the air. The disease can be spread by anyone who is infected, even if they don't have symptoms.

Treating pneumococcal infections with penicillin and other antibiotics used to be
effective, but the disease is becoming more and more resistant to antibiotic treatment,
making immunization increasingly important. Two pneumococcal vaccines are available in the United States, a polysaccharide vaccine for adults and a conjugate vaccine for children. Routine vaccination (4-dose series) of the conjugate vaccine is recommended for all children 23 months of age and younger.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases