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Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) remains a leading infectious cause of serious illness among older adults in the United States, where it results in hospitalization or death for thousands each year. Pneumococcal disease can cause severe infections of the lungs (pneumonia), bloodstream (bacteremia), and lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Vaccinations are the best way to prevent pneumococcal disease.
There are two vaccines that can prevent pneumococcal disease: