Invasive Pneumococcal Disease

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that can cause infections of the ears, sinuses or lungs.

It can also cause more serious infections of the blood or brain. This type of infection is called IPD. It can lead to brain damage, blood stream infections or death.

Each year, approximately 3,000 cases of IPD are reported in Canada. Most are among the very young (those under the age of 5) or the elderly (those 65 and older).

Bacteria like the pneumococcal bacteria can become resistant to the drugs we normally use to treat infections. When this happens, it is harder to treat the infection. For this reason, prevention is very important.

The best way to prevent IPD infection is by getting a pneumococcal vaccine. This vaccine is safe and effective.