Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs, which can be caused by virus or bacteria.
 
Pneumococal pneumonia is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus.
 
Pneumococcal pneumonia is the single most common organism causing community-acquired pneumonia.

The bacteria is spread through contact between persons who are ill or who carry the bacteria in their throat.
 
The transmission is mostly through the spread of respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth of a person with pneumococcal infection. It is spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, talking or close contact.

Very serious. In USA, it is the fifth leading cause of death in adults each year. There are 500,00 cases of pneumonia each year.
 
It is estimated that 50,000 people die each year of pneumonia. 50% of those deaths could have been prevented with a pneumonia vaccine injection.
 
Although the majority of pneumonias respond well to treatment, the infection can be a very serious problem.

Aside from the flu like symptoms such as

• fever
• dry cough
• headache
• muscle pain and weakness

pneumonia symptoms include

• chest pain
• chills with shaking
• mucus producing cough
• excessive sweating
• rapid heartbeat
• soar throat
• difficulty of breathing

Yes. The pneumococcal vaccine is the only way to prevent getting pneumococcal pneumonia.

Certain groups of people are considered to be at particularly high risk for the development of pneumonia.

• People aged 65 or older
• Those with serious chronic illnesses
• Those with compromised immune system
• Those who have contact with high risk patients: healthcare workers, nurses, physicians
• People wishing to lessen the chance of getting pneumonia

Unlike the annually recommended flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine is a once (possibly twice) in a life time inoculation

• 65 years and older - if this is your first immunization, you only receive it once.
• 65 yrs and older - if you have receive an initial immunization before you turn 65 get a booster shot before you turn 65. There should be five years interval between the initial shot and the booster shot.
• 18 to 65 yrs old - one immunization and then one booster after 65 years

Yes. It is very safe. It may cause some local reaction or soreness around the site of the injection, however these reactions are minor and transient.