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Pneumococcal Information for the Public
Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection caused by a bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but many types of people are at increased risk.
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Transmission (Spread)
People spread pneumococcal bacteria to others through direct contact with respiratory secretions, like saliva (spit) or mucus.
Children younger than 5 years old and adults 65 years or older are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.
About Pneumococcal Disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Prevention
Vaccination is the primary way to prevent pneumococcal disease.
CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for:
- children younger than 5 years
- adults 65 years or older.
- children and adults at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.
The routine pneumococcal vaccination schedule (PCV15 or PCV20) for children under 5 years is:
4 doses total, 1 dose at each of the following ages:
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 12 through 15 months
Pneumococcal Vaccination (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Signs and Symptoms
It usually takes 1 to 3 days for pneumonia symptoms to appear after S. pneumoniae bacteria enter someone's body.
- Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia, a serious lung infection, include:
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Fever and chills
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
- Older adults may experience confusion or low alertness, rather than the more common symptoms listed above.
- Symptoms of pneumococcal meningitis, a serious infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, include:
- Confusion
- Fever
- Headache
- Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)
- Stiff neck
- In babies, meningitis may cause poor eating and drinking, low alertness, and vomiting.
- Symptoms of pneumococcal bacteremia, a serious bloodstream infection, include:
- Chills
- Fever
- Low alertness
- Pneumococcal disease can also cause mild infections including:
- Ear infections
- Sinus infections
About Pneumococcal Disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Risk of Disease
In 2017 there were approximately 31,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease and 3,500 deaths in the United States.
Young children attending childcare are also at increased risk for severe pneumococcal disease and ear infections.
- A complete list of risk factors
S. pneumoniae is the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia globally.
- It accounted for more deaths than all other causes combined in 2016.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that it kills about 300,000 children under 5 years old worldwide every year.
Before routine vaccination was introduced in 2000, approximately 200 children died each year from pneumococcal infection.
About 40% of S. pneumoniae infections are antibiotic resistant.
Pneumococcal Disease Surveillance and Trends (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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ReportingNotifiable diseases in Michigan:
Michigan's List of Notifiable Diseases 2025 By Condition
Michigan's List of Notifiable Diseases 2025 By Pathogen -
Questions About
Get answers to frequently asked questions about Pneumococcal and the vaccine used to prevent it.
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For More Information
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Access Your Immunization Record
If you have been immunized in the State of Michigan, you may be able to download your immunization record from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR).
Visit the Michigan Immunization Portal to learn more or contact your healthcare provider.