The pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccine is recommended for:
- All children under 5 years old (routine doses in infancy)
- All adults age 50 and older
- Children and adults with increased risk due to medical conditions such as chronic heart, lung, kidney disease, diabetes, immune system weakening conditions (e.g. cancer, HIV, steroid use), or spleen problems
- People who smoke or have environmental exposure risks
- People living in communal environments like nursing homes or military
- Specific high-risk populations like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50+ and adults aged 65 or 70+ depending on the country
- People recovering from surgery or severe illness affecting immunity
- Children 2-5 years old with a history of pneumococcal disease
Pneumococcal vaccines are very important for preventing serious infections including pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis in vulnerable groups. The vaccine schedule varies by age and risk factors but is generally given early in childhood and recommended again in older adulthood or for those with medical risks. Those who have had severe allergic reactions to previous pneumococcal vaccines should avoid further doses and should consult their doctor.
