Kills 3,500 persons younger than 65 years and 3,400 persons older than 65 years every year.
Causes 500,000 cases of pneumonia, 50,000 cases of bacteria in the blood and 3,000 cases of meningitis per year.
Can cause problems in the lungs, blood and brain.
Can lead to infections in the lining of the chest cavity and around the heart.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASE?

Pneumococcal disease can be prevented by a vaccination. The pneumonia vaccine, which is also referred to as "the Pneumonia shot" is recommended for:

Groups with Working Immune Systems

People in the following groups are characterized by the fact that, although their immune systems function, they remain at high-risk to develop serious infections and complications.

All adults who are 65 years of age and older
Individuals ages 2-64 years diagnosed with one of these chronic illnesses:

Heart disease, lung disease, Diabetes types 1 & 2, Alcoholism, liver disease and Cerebral spinal fluid leak.

Individuals ages 2-64 years, whose spleen has been removed or whose spleen doesn't work. This category also includes anyone diagnosed with sickle cell disease.
Individuals ages 2-64 years living in special environments or specific social settings:

Residents of nursing homes and long term care facilities
Individuals with cochlear implants.

Groups with Damaged or Non-working immune systems*

This group includes individuals older than age 2 years diagnosed with any of these diseases:

HIV - persons with asymptomatic or symptomatic HIV infections.
Leukemia, Lymphoma
Hodgkins disease
Multiple Myeloma, generalized malignancy
Chronic renal failure, Nephrotic syndrome.

*This includes patients who have undergone organ and bone marrow transplantation, and those receiving immune suppressive chemotherapy (including long-term systemic corticosteroids).

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GET YOUR FIRST PNEUMONIA VACCINATION?

The pneumonia vaccine can be administered at any time during the year. If you are 65 years of age or older and have never received a pneumonia vaccination or if you are under 65 years and have any of the conditions mentioned above, call your doctor's office.

DO I NEED A PNEUMONIA VACCINATION EVERY YEAR?

This is not an annual vaccination (shot). Speak with your doctor to see if you need to get another pneumonia vaccination.

SHOULD I GET THE PNEUMONIA VACCINATION IF I AM PREGNANT?

Speak to your doctor to see if you should receive this vaccination.