Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the bacteria “pneumococcus”. It can lead to serious illnesses like pneumonia (infection of the lungs), sepsis (blood infection) and meningitis. Anyone can be infected with pneumococcal but the risk is higher in older adults living with illnesses like chronic kidney disease.
For chronic kidney disease patients, it is recommended that patients over the age of 65 receive the vaccination. The immune system of chronic kidney disease patients is a lot weaker than the average healthy person. As a result patients require revaccination within the 5 years following the first dose.