Pneumonia is the 9th leading cause of death for those 65 years old and older in Marion County. Marion County emergency departments have over 1,210 visits from Marion County residents aged 65+ for possible pneumonia. One in 100 Marion County residents aged 65+ are hospitalized for pneumonia every year.

Pneumococcal disease can cause more than pneumonia, though. It can inflame your sinuses, cause middle ear infections, sepsis, and meningitis.

There are two vaccines for pneumococcal disease (PCV13 & PPSV23) and you only need to have them each once. You should have them on year apart, and they are FREE* with Medicare or your insurance if you are in the following risk groups:

• All adults 65 years or older
• All children younger than 2 years
• Those who are immunocompromised (e.g., cancer and HIV)
• Those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes; alcoholism; heart, liver, kidney, or lung disease, including chronic obstructive lung disease, emphysema, and asthma
• Those who have a cochlear implant or cerebrospinal fluid leaks
• Those who smoke cigarettes

Go to your doctor, a local pharmacy, or one of Marion County’s District Health Offices today to get vaccinated!

Pneumonia Deaths and Emergency Department visits by zip code

Pneumonia flyer (English)

Pneumonia flyer (Spanish)

Learn more at:

CDC Pneumonia Page

CDC Pneumococcal Vaccine Page

* Medicare will cover the cost of the vaccine. Most other insurances will cover the cost if you are in a high risk group for developing pneumonia, such as those with a chronic condition: immunocompromised people (e.g., cancer or HIV); diabetes; alcoholism; hearth, liver, kidney, or lung disease (e.g., chronic obstructive lung disease, emphysema, and asthma); people with cochlear implants or cerebrospinal fluid leaks.