Pneumococcal vaccine.

Pneumococcal infection is a major health problem in both developed and developing countries. Adult patients with a range of chronic illnesses are at increased risk of both morbidity and mortality from this condition. The currently available 23 valent vaccine is generally not effective in children under 2 years of age or adults with significant immunosuppression. However, case control and cohort studies have established the vaccine's effectiveness in patients with a number of chronic illnesses as well as those undergoing splenectomy. The vaccine is safe and should be more widely used by practitioners with patients who meet the current NHMRC guidelines.