[Effectively preventing pneumococcal diseases in the elderly and the young].

Pneumococcal disease (PD) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) is a global public health concern. Children younger than 5 years and elderly over 60 years, due to immature development of the immune system early in life or the gradual decline of immune function with age, are high-risk groups for pneumococcal infections, which makes the disease burden particularly serious and the situation of prevention and control grim. Vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent PD and reduce pneumococcal antimicrobial resistance. Improving health consciousness and vaccination rates are particularly necessary and urgent for the prevention and control of PD. Based on the disease burden, this article discusses the problems and challenges of PD in China regarding surveillance, laboratory testing, antimicrobial resistance, and vaccination. Recommended strategies concerning the surveillance system, clinical diagnosis and treatment, vaccination, and health promotion were made to increase the vaccination rate of pneumococcal vaccine among the elderly and young and to improve the level of PD prevention and control.