Public Health and Environment

Pneumonia Information

What Is Pneumococcal Disease?
- Pneumococcal disease is a bacterium that can cause serious infections of the lungs (pneumonia), the bloodstream (bacteremia) and the covering of the brain (meningitis). People are at higher risk of dying from pneumococcal disease if they have heart or lung disease, kidney failure, diabetes, certain types of cancer or alcoholism.
What Is The Purpose Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine?
- Most healthy adults who receive the vaccine once develop protection against most or all of 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. Older people and those with chronic diseases may respond less and in some instances need to have a booster shot.
Who Should Receive Pneumococcal Polysaccharite Vaccine?
- All people over age 65.
- Adults with diseases that lower the body's resistance to infections.
- People infected with the HIV virus.
- Washington County Public Health and Environment does not provide pneumococcal vaccine to people under age 18. See your private provider if you have a child who may need this vaccine.
Cost
- There is a $35 fee for the pneumonia shot at Public Health and Environment Department clinics.
- Medicare: Part B Medicare will pay for the cost of the pneumococcal shots. Please bring your Medicare card with you if you have part B coverage. We will bill Medicare directly.