The pneumococcal vaccine protects against pneumococcal bacteria, which can cause pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, and blood stream infections. Pneumococcus is one of the most common causes of severe pneumonia.1
What is pneumococcal pneumonia?
- An infection of the lungs
- Symptoms can include:
- Fever and chills
- Coughing
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Most common type of pneumococcal disease in adults.
- Occurs in about 175,000 Americans each year.
Other pneumococcal diseases:
- Meningitis
- Bacteremia (Bacteria in the blood stream)
- Sepsis
- Ear infections
Ways to prevent pneumococcal disease:
- The best way to prevent this is to get vaccinated
- Cover your cough
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
- Avoid close contact with people who are coughing
Who should get vaccinated?
According to the American Academy for Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is recommended that you get the vaccine if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Adults age 65+
- Children age 2 months-18 months
- Children age 5 years+ with certain conditions
- Adults age 19-64 with certain chronic medical or underlying conditions including:
- Alcoholism
- Chronic heart disease including congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathies
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic lung disease (including COPD, emphysema, and asthma)
- Cochlear implant
- Cerebrospinal fluid leak
- Cigarette smoking
- Diabetes
- Chronic renal failure
- Congenital or acquired asplenia
- Generalized malignancy
- HIV Infection
- Hodgkin disease
- Latrogenic immunosuppression
- Immunodeficiency
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Solid organ transplant
- Sickle cell disease or other hemoglobinopathies
How to get the vaccine
Your North Star Health provide can administer the vaccine. Please call the office or ask your provider about it during your next visit.
1Vermont Department of Health
