There are an estimated 175,000 hospitalized cases of pneumococcal pneumonia, 34,500 cases of bacteremia, and 2,200 cases of meningitis each year in the United States. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), invasive pneumococcal disease causes about 4,800 deaths annually. Bacteremia and meningitis are responsible for the highest rates of death among the elderly and patients who have underlying medical conditions.
Pneumococcal disease can also cause very serious illness in children. In fact, pneumococcal disease is the most common cause of invasive bacterial infection in children in the US. Children under 2 years of age fall into the highest general risk group for invasive pneumococcal infections.
Vaccines are available and are recommended for routine use in children, adults 65 years of age and older, and others with certain risk conditions. Still, many of those indicated have never received a pneumococcal vaccine.
NFID is committed to providing education about pneumococcal disease. Talk to your healthcare provider about pneumococcal disease and vaccination.
Learn more about pneumococcal disease in adults and the vaccines to prevent it.