Pneumococcal infections range from ear and sinus infections to pneumonia and bloodstream infections. Babies, older adults, and people with certain health conditions are at the greatest risk for serious illness and death from pneumococcal disease.

People spread pneumococcal bacteria to others through direct contact with respiratory secretions, like saliva or mucus. Many people, especially children, have the bacteria in their nose or throat at one time or another without being ill.

Children younger than 2 years old and adults 65 years or older are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.

Children or adults are also at increased risk for pneumococcal disease if they have:

• Sickle cell disease, or another condition that weakens the immune system
• Diabetes
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Chronic heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease
• Cochlear implants
• Cerebrospinal fluid leaks

Adults who have alcoholism or smoke cigarettes are also at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.

Pneumococcal vaccines are very effective at preventing severe disease and hospitalization.

Most side effects after vaccination are mild. They include:

• Pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given
• Mild fever
• Chills
• Feeling tired
• Headache
• Muscle and joint aches

Although serious side effects following vaccination are very rare, they do occur.

The U.S. government created the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to reimburse people who suffer a serious injury as the result of a vaccine.

All vaccines administered to children and many vaccines administered to adults are covered by the federal vaccine program, including a pneumococcal vaccine.

Serious injuries that can occur after a pneumococcal vaccine include:

• GBS (Guillain-Barré syndrome)
• SIRVA (Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration)
• CIDP (Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy)
• AIDP (Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy)
• ADEM (Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis)
• ITP (Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura)
• TP (thrombocytopenic purpura)
• Transverse myelitis (TM)
• Central nervous disorders
• Encephalopathy
• Anaphylaxis
• Brachial neuritis
• Rotator cuff tear
• Vasovagal syncope
• Injection site injury
• Abscess
• Shoulder injury
• Arm injury

The vaccine program will only consider compensation when injuries persist and require ongoing medical care for longer than six months.

US Vaccine Law has been representing individuals and their families in cases involving vaccine injuries for more than twenty (20) years.