Each year, pneumococcal disease causes thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States—particularly among older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions. Pneumococcal pneumonia accounts for 12-13% of hospitalized pneumonia cases and results in approximately 225,000 adult hospitalizations annually.1 Pneumococcal meningitis kills about one in six older adults who get it.2
The best way to prevent pneumococcal disease is through vaccination. CDC recommends all adults aged 50 and older receive a vaccination.3 However, multiple vaccine options and evolving recommendations have made it difficult for people to know which vaccine is needed, and when.
To support decision-making, NACCHO’s Immunization team, in collaboration with the Clinical Support Subcommittee of the Immunization Workgroup, has developed a Pneumococcal Vaccine Decision Tree. This tool was designed to help local health departments (LHDs), physicians, caregivers, and adults determine the appropriate pneumococcal vaccination based on age and immunization history.
(Please note, this tool was last updated July 2025 and may not reflect any changes to recommendations made after this point in time.)
