MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Pneumococcal vaccine

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Pneumococcal vaccine

Pneumococcal vaccine is an immunization against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium that frequently causes meningitis and pneumonia in the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses. Pneumococcal pneumonia accounts for 10 to 25% of all pneumonias.

Update Date: 10/30/2006

Updated by: Frederic F. Little, M.D., Department of Allergy and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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