PNEUMOCOCCAL
Disease in children
Understanding Your Baby’s Risk of Infection 1-3
An infant’s immune system is not yet fully developed, making it less effective at fighting bacteria. This is especially true for children under two years old, whose bodies lack sufficient antibodies and are therefore more vulnerable to infections.
Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) is commonly found in the nose and throat of healthy individuals, and is particularly prevalent among children. Because children often spend time in group settings such as daycare or school, pneumococcus can easily spread through droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces. Once infected, it can lead to serious long-term complications, including hearing loss, cognitive impairment, limb amputation, and even death.
Estimated risk of aged 1 below4†
†Compared with 5-17 years
Pneumococcus is a major cause of pneumonia.5
A child dies of pneumonia every 43 seconds.6
Pneumonia kills more children than any other infectious disease, claiming the lives of over 700,000 children under 5 every year, including around 190,000 newborns. 6
Up to 50% of acute middle ear infections are caused by pneumococcus7-9
Especially in children aged 6 to 18 months8,9
Take the risk assessment
Answer a few questions to assess your risk for pneumococcal pneumonia and discuss them with your doctor.
What is your age?
Even if you are healthy, older age can be a risk factor for pneumococcal pneumonia.3,4
| 18 years and under |
| 19–34 years |
| 35–49 years |
| 50–64 years |
| 65 years and older |
Next: Your health conditions
Do you have any chronic health conditions?
Certain conditions may put you at higher risk for pneumococcal pneumonia, even if they’re under control.1,4-6 Select all that apply.
| Asthma |
| Chronic lung disease (eg, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) |
| Chronic heart disease |
| Diabetes |
| Chronic renal failure |
| Cancers (eg, hematological cancers, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer) |
| Non-functioning spleen (asplenia) |
| Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection |
| I do not have any of these conditions |
Are you taking any medicines that suppress your immune system? This includes some medicines that treat psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis, among others.7
| Yes I’m taking medicines that suppress my immune system |
| No Not taking any medicines that suppress my immune system |
Back Next: Check your risk assessment results
Your risk assessment results for pneumococcal pneumonia
Talk to your doctor about protecting against pneumococcal pneumonia.
References
- https://www.hk01.com/%E8%A6%AA%E5%AD%90/60264600/ Accessed Nov 2025
- https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/10584.html Accessed Nov 2025
- Pneumococcal Disease and Children - NFID Accessed Nov 2025
- Mohanty, Salini et al. Pneumonia (Nathan Qld.) vol. 15,1 2. 23 Jan. 2023, doi:10.1186/s41479- 022-00103-3
- Gierke R, et al. Pink Book Chapter 17: Pneumococcal disease
- UNICEF. Available at: data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/ pneumonia/. Accessed Dec 2024.
- CDC. Clinical features of pneumococcal disease. Available at: Accessed Dec 2024.
- CHP. Acute otitis media. Available at:www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/guidance_notes_acute_otitis_media_fulljpdf. Accessed Dec 2024.
- Bergenfelz C, Hakansson AP. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 2017;5:115-124.