Pneumococcal Vaccination
Pronounced (noo-muh-KOK-uhl)
One of the Recommended Vaccines by Disease
Vaccines are available that can help prevent pneumococcal disease, which is any type of infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. There are two kinds of pneumococcal vaccines available in the United States:
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for all babies and children younger than 2 years old, all adults 65 years or older, and people 2 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is recommended for all adults 65 years or older, people 2 through 64 years old who are at increased risk for disease due to certain medical conditions, and adults 19 through 64 years old who smoke cigarettes.
Talk with your or your child’s healthcare professional if you have questions about pneumococcal vaccines.
CDC recommends pneumococcal conjugate vaccination for:
- All babies and children younger than 2 years old
- All adults 65 years or older
- People 2 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions
CDC recommends pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination for:
- All adults 65 years or older
- People 2 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions
- Adults 19 through 64 years old who smoke cigarettes
Related Pages
- CDC’s Pneumococcal Disease Website
- CDC’s Meningitis Website
- CDC’s Pneumonia Website
- Pneumococcal Vaccine Information Statements
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV13) (English / Other Languages)
- Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPSV23) (English / Other Languages)
- Pneumococcal Information on vaccines.gov
- Photos of Pneumococcal Bacteria and People Affected by Pneumococcal Disease
Warning: Some of these photos are graphic.
- Page last reviewed: November 22, 2016
- Page last updated: December 14, 2016
- Content source: