Anne Arundel County Department of Health

Home > Community Health > Pneumococcal Vaccines

Updated: 6.7.10

Phone: 410-222-4896

Pneumococcal disease is a serious bacterial disease that causes sickness and death. 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.

Penicillin was 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 mostly for adults and PCV7 for children.

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 any other bacteria.
One dose of PPV23 at age 65 usually provides protection for a lifetime.

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

Other individuals 2 years of age and older who have a disease, condition or medication that lowers the body's resistance to infection should also receive a pneumococcal vaccine. These individuals include those with HIV or AIDS, kidney failure, certain cancers and cancer treatments.

NEW! The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recently released a recommendation for individuals 19-64 years of age who are cigarette smokers or asthmatics to receive a pneumococcal vaccine.

For persons with a chronic illness who 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 elapsed since the previous dose. Certain immunocompromised individuals may be eligible for a second dose before age 65. 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

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

Is there anything I should know?

Mild side effects, which pass in a day or two, 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

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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