Pneumococcal Information for Health Professionals
Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. It can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or meningitis.
The Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria kills more people in the United States each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined. Treating pneumococcal infections with penicillin and other antibiotics used to be effective, but the disease is becoming more and more resistant to antibiotic treatment, making immunization increasingly important. There are two different vaccines, often called "pneumonia shots," to combat the 90 known strains of pneumococcal disease.
On this page:
Reporting
Vaccine information
Standards and guidelines
Vaccination programs
Reporting
- Reporting Streptococcal Disease
All invasive Streptococcal disease caused by S. pneumoniae must be reported to MDH within one working day.
Vaccine information
- Pneumococcal
conjugate vaccine (PCV13)
Who should get the PCV13 vaccine, as well as VIS statements, and ACIP recommendations.
- Pneumococcal
polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV)
Who should get the PPV vaccine, VIS statements, ACIP recommendations, and related journal articles.
- Pocket Guide for
Pneumococcal Vaccination
A pocket guide to assist healthcare providers in determing who should receive a pneumococcal vaccination.
Standards and guidelines
- ACIP Provisional Recommendations for Use of Pneumococcal Vaccines
Pneumococcal vaccine recommendations by the ACIP. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Prevention
of Pneumococcal Disease
ACIP Recommendations in April 4, 1997 MMWR. Attention: Non-MDH link
Vaccination programs
- Adults Only Vaccination:
A Step-by-Step Guide
Need help in establishing protocols for vaccinating your adult patients? Need tools to determine which vaccinations they need? Designed to help integrate immunization services into health care settings new to vaccination, this guide and accompanying tools are equally valuable for settings experienced in vaccine delivery. Attention: Non-MDH link
Spotlight
Frequently Requested
VISs
CDC fact sheets on vaccines.
Attention: Non-MDH link
CDC Immunization Home
Attention: Non-MDH link
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 (TTY: 651-201-5797) for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
