Anne Arundel County Department of Health

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Updated on 8.9.07

Phone: 410-222-4896

Pneumococcal disease is a serious disease that causes sickness and death and kills more people in the United States each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined. It can lead to serious infections of the lungs (pneumonia), the blood (bacteremia), and the covering of the brain (meningitis). People with special health problems are even more likely to die from the disease.

Drugs such as penicillin were once effective in treating these infections, but the disease has become more resistant to these drugs, making treatment of pneumococcal infections more difficult. This makes prevention of the disease through vaccination even more important.

Pneumococcal Vaccine

There are two pneumococcal vaccines currently being manufactured: PPV23 and PCV7.

PPV23, pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, protects against certain strains of pneumococcal bacteria that cause pneumonia. The vaccine does not protect against pneumonia caused by viruses and some other bacteria.

One dose of PPV23 at age 65 years usually provides protection for a lifetime.

PPV23 is recommended for the elderly or persons, including children over 2 years of age, with illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, sickle cell disease, alcoholism, cirrhosis or cerebrospinal fluid leak.

For those persons with a chronic illness who may have received a dose before the age of 65, a second dose of vaccine is recommended after the age of 65, as long as 5 years have lapsed since the previous dose. If you are not sure if you should receive the pneumococcal vaccine, contact your physician.

PCV7, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, is routinely recommended for children under 2 years of age. It is also recommended for children between 2 and 5 years old who have not already gotten the vaccine and are at high risk of serious pneumococcal disease. This includes children who

have sickle cell disease,
have a damaged spleen or no spleen,
have chronic heart of lung disease,
have HIV/AIDS, or
have a disease that affects the immune system, e.g., diabetes, cancer or liver disease.

Other children who may be at risk include

those under 3 years of age,
Alaskan Natives, Native Americans, and those of African American descent, and
those who attend group day care.

Is there anything I should know?
Most people who get a pneumococcal shot have no reaction to it. Mild side effects may include: soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection; fever; and muscle aches.

Protection begins 2 to 3 weeks after vaccination.

Getting Your Shots

Pneumococcal vaccine shots are available year round at Anne Arundel County Department of Health area health centers by appointment or through scheduled walk-in clinics. Call the health center nearest you for information.

Parole Health Center	410-222-7247
Glen Burnie Health Center	410-222-6633
Odenton Health Center	410-222-6660

Although the pneumococcal vaccine shot is free, a donation of $20 is appreciated. A donation is NOT required to receive the shot. Medicare will cover the suggested $20 donation for PPV23 Medicare Part B individuals who bring their Medicare cards and are not enrolled in an HMO.

For more information regarding the prevention of pneumonia or other vaccine preventable diseases, call Immunization Services Program at 410-222-4896.

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