Pneumococcal Disease (Streptococcus pneumoniae)

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.

  • Pneumococcal Basics and Kids
    Pneumococcal disease causes serious bacterial infections in children. Learn how it is treated, get information on the two pneumococcal vaccines for kids, and find out about the immunization requirement for child care.

  • Pneumococcal Basics and Adults
    High death rates are associated with many infections caused by pneumococcal disease in adults, especially older adults.

  • Pneumococcol Resources for Health Professionals
    ACIP guidelines for the prevention of pneumococcal disease, reporting, standing orders for treating the disease, as well as Minnesota vaccination recommendations.

  • Pneumococcal Statistics for Minnesota
    Pneumococcal disease statistics and pneumococcal vaccination rates in Minnesota.

Updated Tuesday, 16-Nov-2010 12:21:14 CST