Pneumonia
Pneumococcal disease is caused by a bacteria. Some people are carriers of meningococcal disease but don't get ill. Others get serious infections, such as pneumonia. The bacteria spread when someone who has the bacteria in their nose or throat coughs or sneezes.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can cause symptoms like:
- Fever and chills
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
It may also cause confusion in older adults.
The Pneumococcal Vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccines are encouraged for people who:
- Have heart disease or asthma
- Have weakened immune systems
- Smoke cigarettes
Different variations of the vaccine are used based on age and previous vaccinations:
- Adults 19 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions or other risk factors who have not already received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive either:
- a single dose of PCV15 followed by a dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), or
- a single dose of PCV20.
- Adults 65 years or older who have not already received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive either:
- a single dose of PCV15 followed by a dose of PPSV23, or
- a single dose of PCV20.
This information comes from the Department of Health and Human Services