Pneumococcal disease is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States.
Pneumococcal disease is a serious disease that causes sickness and death. In fact, pneumococcal disease is responsible for about 200 deaths each year among children under 5 years old. Prevnar shipments from the Idaho Immunization Program began in January 2001. In addition to being highly effective, Prevnar promises to provide a significant impact on reducing the frequency of the most difficult to treat drug resistant pneumococcal ear infections. Children under 2 years old are at highest risk for serious disease.