Pneumococcal Disease
Let’s get Texans vaccinated now.
Pneumococcal vaccines are the best defense against infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. These common bacteria cause a variety of illnesses. Some of these illnesses, like sinus or middle ear infections cause discomfort for a few days. Other pneumococcal illnesses such as pneumonia or meningitis, can be very severe and even life-threatening.
How do these diseases spread?
Pneumococcal disease moves easily from one person to another. It only takes a cough or sneeze from up to six feet away. All it takes is contact with droplets on the skin or in the air.
Which Texans are most at risk?
Those who are most prone to pneumococcal disease are the very young, the elderly, and people with chronic health problems.
Young children under 2 years old
Little immune systems need help against fierce bacteria.
Adults 65 years and older
Just having enough birthdays to be a senior increases the risk of getting a devastating pneumococcal illness.
People with other health conditions
Other people who are also at higher risk of pneumococcal disease include anyone with chronic illness (heart, liver, kidney or lung), emphysema, asthma, diabetes, alcoholism, cochlear implants, a damaged or absent spleen, cancer, HIV/AIDS or other conditions that weaken the immune system, transplant recipients, smokers, among other things.
Adults who live in long-term care facilities Places like extended care facilities and hospitals bring more risk simply because there is more exposure to germs.
What is the best prevention?
Get immunized! Below is a general guideline to pneumococcal vaccination, but your doctor is the best person to help you determine if one or both of the vaccines would be right for you.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
(PCV13 or Prevnar13)
- Children at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months old
People 2 years to 64 years with certain medical conditions- Adults 65 years or older
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23 or Pneumovax 23)
- All adults 65 years or older
- People 2 years to 64 years with certain medical conditions
- Adults 19 years through 64 years who smoke cigarettes
Do you or a loved one need to get immunized? Ask your doctor.
Your doctor is your best source of information about vaccines for you and your family. To learn more about pneumococcal disease risk factors and the vaccinations that defend against them, visit:
CDC: Pneumococcal Vaccination Information
CDC: Pneumococcal Transmission Risk
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Order the printed brochure version of this webpage at this website. The brochure is stock #11-15086.