The pneumococcal vaccine is designed to protect against infections caused by the bacterium _Streptococcus pneumoniae_. This pathogen can lead to severe illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia. There are two main types of pneumococcal vaccines: the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV).
