What is pneumococcal disease?

Pneumococcal disease is defined as infections that are caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus. The most common types of infections caused by this bacteria include middle ear infections, pneumonia, blood stream infections (bacteremia), sinus infections, and meningitis.

Which children are most likely to get pneumococcal disease?

Young children are much more likely than older children and adults to get pneumococcal disease. Children under 2, children in group child care, and children who have certain illnesses (for example sickle cell disease, HIV infection, chronic heart or lung conditions) are at higher risk than other children to get pneumococcal disease. In addition, pneumococcal disease is more common among children of certain racial or ethnic groups, such as Alaska Natives, Native Americans, and African-Americans, than among other groups.

How prevalent is pneumococcal disease?

Each year in the U.S. Streptococcus pneumoniae causes approximately 480 cases of meningitis, 4,000 cases of bacteremia or other invasive disease in children under the age of 5. Children under 2 average more than 1 middle ear infection each year, many of which are caused by pneumococcal infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacteremia, pneumonia, meningitis and otitis media in young children.

Who is at most serious risk? 

Children at increased risk of pneumococcal infections include those with anatomic or functional asplenia (including sickle cell disease), patients taking immunosuppressive chemotherapy, those with congenital and acquired immune deficiency (including HIV infections), those with chronic renal disease and healthy Native American, Alaskan Native, and African American children. Children less than 60 months of age in out-of-home day care are at 2-3 fold higher risk of experiencing invasive pneumococcal infections than children in home care.