Pneumonia or pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria that spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes or with contact from respiratory secretions.
Pneumonia can cause serious infections in the lungs, blood and brain which can lead to death. Pneumonia also causes up to half of all ear infections.
Providers treat pneumonia with antibiotics, but even infections treated early can lead to scarring of the lungs or problems with the brain.
The bacteria has developed resistance to some antibiotics.
The very old, very young and those with heart or lung disease are most at risk, although anyone can get pneumonia.
The vaccine covers the strains most likely to cause severe disease.
Vaccine Recommendations
Children should receive four doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The first dose should be given at 2 months of age.
Adults 65 years and older are recommended to receive one dose of the pneumococcal PPSV23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide) vaccine. Your provider may also recommend you receive the pneumococcal PCV13 (pneumococcal conjugate) vaccine. Talk to your provider about this vaccine.
Your provider may decide to vaccine adults younger than 65 years of age if you are at increased risk.
