Also see: New laws related to influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in health facilities
Pneumococcal Vaccination Recommendations
Pneumococcal disease (caused by Streptococcus pneumonaie, also known as pneumococcus) leads to a great deal of morbidity and mortality, especially in older adults and the very young. In the elderly, pneumococcal infections are the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization (ACIP) recommends providing pneumococcal vaccination to:
- Persons 65 and older
- Persons living in special communities, including residents of nursing homes or long term care facilities at high risk of acquiring severe pneumococcal infections
- Persons age 5-64 who have chronic cardiovascular or pulmonary disease (except asthma) or have compromised immune function
- Other specific groups (see link to complete recommendations below)
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of pneumococcal disease:
recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices 
(ACIP).
MMWR 1997;46(No. RR-8):[1-19].
CDC does not recommend routine revaccination of adults with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Adult revaccination is recommended only for:
- Persons who are at highest risk of serious pneumococcal infection who received the first dose 5 or more years ago
- Persons 65 and older who received the first dose 5 or more years ago
In these cases, a single revaccination dose should be given at least 5 years after the first dose. More information on pneumococcal revaccination, including revaccination indications for children, can be found in this excerpt from the CDC's Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Pink Book).
Below are links to various sources of information about pneumococcal vaccination. (All links open in a new window).
General information on pneumococcal vaccination:
Pneumococcal vaccination program development:
Materials for patients related to pneumococcal vaccination:
