Last updated: December 8, 2022

Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection causing pneumonia and invasive infections, including meningitis and bacteremia. Pneumococcal disease is common in smokers, young children and senior adults. Other people at high risk include those with sickle cell anemia, asplenia, cochlear implant or immunocompromising medical conditions, such as HIV, chronic renal failure, organ transplants and blood and bone cancers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all children younger than 2 years old and all adults 65 years or older. In certain situations, high risk children and adults should also get pneumococcal vaccines. Talk to your or your child’s healthcare professional about what is best for your specific situation.

More information is available at Key Facts.

The Types of Pneumococcal Vaccines

There are two pneumococcal vaccines licensed for use in the United States and recommended by the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP):

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Protects against 13 types of bacteria that most commonly cause serious infections in children and adults.

CDC recommends vaccination with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13 or Prevnar 13®) for:

• All children younger than 2 years old.
• All adults 65 years or older. Prevnar 13®, is now recommended for all senior adults at age 65, to be followed by Pneumovax 23® (described below) after a 12-month interval. For seniors 65 years or older previously vaccinated with Pneumovax23®, allow a 12-month interval before vaccination with Prevnar 13®.
• People 2 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions.

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine
Protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
CDC recommends vaccination with the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23 or Pneumovax23®) for:

• All adults 65 years or older. It is recommended that those age 65 and older vaccinated with Pneumovax23® 12 months after Prevnar 13®.
• People 2 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions.
• Adults 19 through 64 years old who smoke cigarettes.

For more information on the Pneumococcal Vaccine, call 

• Glen Burnie Health Center, 416 A Street, S.W., Glen Burnie, MD 21061, 410-222-6633
• Parole Health Center, 1950 Drew Street, Annapolis, MD 21401, 410-222-7247