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Protect yourself against pneumonia. Get a pneumococcal vaccine.

Pneumococcal bacteria cause pneumonia, a lung infection with a high rate of sickness and death in older adults. Pneumococcal bacteria can also cause ear infections, sinus infections, and meningitis.

Everyone ages 50 and older should get vaccinated.

The pneumococcal vaccines can prevent pneumonia. If you do get pneumonia and you are vaccinated, you are less likely to get very sick.

Two kinds of pneumococcal vaccines are available for people aged 50 and older:

  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV15 and PCV20)
  • Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) 

These vaccines protect against most types of pneumococcal bacteria. Ask your healthcare provider which vaccine is best for you.

 

Last Updated February 2025

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