When Should Patients Receive the Pneumococcal Vaccination? Case Example and Suggestions.

Introduction Pneumococcal disease is a major cause of mortality preventable by immunization, yet pneumococcal immunization is underutilized. Influenza and pneumococcal disease accounted for approximately 3400 deaths per year in the US senior population between 1990 and 1999. In such cases, death results from pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia but can be prevented with a safe vaccine. Nonetheless, many people who could benefit from immunization have not yet received the vaccine.