Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. The vaccine is free for BC residents at high risk of infection, including seniors, and people 2 to 64 years of age with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, chronic lung, liver, kidney disease or are immunocompromised.

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is more immunogenic than the polysaccharide vaccine. The conjugate vaccine is indicated for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria (20 or 21 serotypes). One single dose may be used for adults 18 years and older.