Pneumococcal is a bacterial disease that may lead to three serious infections: meningitis (brain infection), bacteremia (bloodstream infection), and pneumonia (lung infection). People with this disease may have a fever, be irritable, and may lose their appetite. Those who have meningitis and bacteremia may have headaches, vomiting, and a stiff neck. Those with pneumonia may cough up thick mucus and have difficulty in breathing. Those with otitis media will have severe ear pain. The bacteria are spread from an infected person to another by close contact such as kissing, coughing, and sneezing or sharing items such as cigarettes, toys, and musical instruments.

Who is at risk?

• Children—especially those under the age of 2, with cochlear implants, who are Indigenous, who attend who attend child care centres, and/or who have a chronic illness such as sickle cell disease, pulmonary disease, kidney disease, etc.
• Adults—especially those who have a chronic illness such as heart disease, diabetes, COPD, or splenectomy, who smoke, and adults 65 years of age and older.