What does the pneumococcal vaccine protect against?

The pneumococcal vaccine is designed to protect against infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can lead to serious health complications. Specifically, it is effective in preventing pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs, meningitis, an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, and bloodstream infections (bacteremia), where bacteria are present in the blood.

This vaccine is particularly important for vulnerable populations, such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic health conditions, as these groups are at a higher risk for severe complications from pneumococcal infections. The targeted protection helps reduce the incidence of these diseases, which can significantly impact public health.

The other choices mentioned relate to different vaccines and diseases, thus not applicable in this context.