In elderly with pneumococcal bacteraemia (blood infected with bacteria), the death rate is high, according to CDC surveillance. Another city-based pulmonologist Anil Kancherla says while children are being given the vaccine that is relatively expensive (Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,000) the elderly are not being vaccinated as per requirement. Most people think vaccinations are only for children, but even the elderly are highly vulnerable to some infections and should be protected by vaccinations. The US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an organisation that is revered as highly as the World Health Organisation (WHO), has recommended that all senior citizens (persons aged 65 or older) should be vaccinated for pneumococcal diseases. In the elderly with pneumococcal bacteraemia (blood infected with bacteria), the mortality (death rate) was as high as 30 to 40 per cent, according to CDC surveillance. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the microorganism (bacteria) that causes the infections. It was recognised as a major cause of pneumonia in the late 19 century. In healthy carriers it resides in the respiratory tract, but in the susceptible such as the elderly the bacterium spreads to other locations. It is the main cause of community acquired pneumonia and meningitis in children and the elderly.

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