Pneumococcal disease is a serious disease that can be fatal.
Because of an increase in bacterial drug resistance, pneumococcal disease is difficult to treat and therefore vaccination is extremely important. The pneumococcal vaccine protects people against several types of pneumococcal bacteria. For most people, protection develops within 2-3 weeks of being vaccinated. Anyone over 2 years of age who has a chronic health condition. Anyone who is taking any drug or treatment that lowers the body's resistance to infection, such as Long-term steroids, cancer drugs and radiation therapy.