Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) Vaccinations

Pneumococcal pnemonia is caused by bacteria.

What are the symptoms?

Pneumococcal pneumonia (high fever, cough, and shortness of breath), bacteremia (fever and feeling generally poorly), and meningitis (fever, headache, thinking slowly or not clearly)

What are the complications?

Death (one of the most common causes of death in America from a vaccine-preventable disease)

How is it transmitted?

Pneumococcus is in many people's noses and throats and is spread by coughing, sneezing, or contact with respiratory secretions. Why it suddenly invades the body and causes disease is unknown.

As an adult, do I need it?

Pneumococcal vaccine is very good at preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death. However it is not guaranteed to prevent all symptoms in all people.

You should get the pneumococcal vaccine if:

You are 65 years old or older.
You have a serious long-term health problem such as heart disease, sickle cell disease, alcoholism, leaks of cerebrospinal fluid, lung disease (not including asthma), diabetes, or liver cirrhosis.
Your resistance to infection is lowered due to Hodgkin's disease; multiple myeloma; cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs; treatment with long-term steroids; bone marrow or organ transplant; kidney failure; HIV/AIDS; lymphoma, leukemia, or other cancers; nephrotic syndrome; damaged spleen or no spleen.
You are an Alaskan Native or from certain Native American populations.

Pneumococcal Vaccine Information Sheet (pdf)

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