Pneumococcal Disease (Streptococcus pneumoniae)

Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. It can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or meningitis.

The Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria kills more people in the United States each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined. Treating pneumococcal infections with penicillin and other antibiotics used to be effective, but the disease is becoming more and more resistant to antibiotic treatment, making immunization increasingly important. There are more than 90 known strains of pneumococcal disease, and two different vaccines, often called "pneumonia shots," that help combat pneumococcal disease.

• Pneumococcal Disease Basics
  Learn more about pneumococcal disease, how it is treated, and get information on the two pneumococcal vaccines.
• Pneumococcal Information for Health Professionals
  Vaccination guidelines for the prevention of pneumococcal disease, disease reporting, as well as standing orders for treating the disease.
• Pneumococcal Disease Statistics
  Pneumococcal disease statistics and pneumococcal vaccination rates in Minnesota.