Pneumococcal Vaccination Atlas

What is pneumococcal disease?

Pneumococcal disease refers to infections caused by a common type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. These infections can range from mild illnesses, such as ear infections, to more serious conditions like pneumonia. When the bacteria spread to parts of the body where there are usually no bacteria or germs at all, such as the blood or brain, it’s known as invasive pneumococcal disease.

Pneumococcal disease is one of the main causes of bacterial pneumonia caught outside of hospital or healthcare settings. It often develops after a viral infection, such as a cold or flu, and can come on suddenly with symptoms like high fever, chills, cough, and chest pain.

Across Europe and the world, pneumococcal infections remain a leading cause of serious illness and death – particularly among young children, older adults, and people with certain health conditions. But many of these infections can be prevented through vaccination, which is why routine vaccination is recommended for these higher-risk groups.