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Pneumococcal

Pneumococcal disease is the main cause of bacterial meningitis (an infection of the covering of the brain) in the United States. Each year, pneumococcal disease causes many health problems in children younger than 5 years, including meningitis, blood infections and ear infections

Transmission: Pneumococcus is in many people's noses and throats and is spread by coughing, sneezing, or contact with respiratory secretions. Why it suddenly invades the body and causes disease is unknown.

Vaccination: Pneumococcal vaccine is very good at preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death. However it is not guaranteed to prevent all symptoms in all people.

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Vaccines are available for:
	• Diphtheria • Haemophilus influenzae type b • Hepatitis A • Hepatitis B • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) • Influenza (flu) • Measles • Meningococcal • Mumps • Pertussis (whooping cough) • Pneumococcal • Polio • Rotavirus • Rubella • Tetanus (lockjaw) • Varicella (chickenpox)