肺炎鏈球菌會潛伏在人類鼻咽部並引起疾病，常見的感染包括中耳炎、鼻竇炎和肺炎。肺炎鏈球菌有時會造成侵襲性肺炎鏈球菌感染症，尤其是在高危險族群的病人。肺炎鏈球菌疫苗被認為是預防感染最有效的方法，目前臺灣臨床上可供使用的有1種多醣體疫苗PPV 23和2種結合型疫苗PCV13及PCV15。高危險族群可依照疾病管制署之肺炎鏈球菌疫苗接種建議，接受預防注射以保護自己不受肺炎鏈球菌感染。除此之外，流感感染後的繼發性細菌感染，最常見的菌種之一即為肺炎鏈球菌，因此每年接種流感疫苗亦是重要的預防方法。

Streptococcus pneumoniae are common inhabitants of the respiratory tract and can cause many diseases, including otitis media, sinusitis, and pneumonia. S. pneumoniae also causes invasive pneumococcal disease, especially in high-risk groups. Vaccines are considered the most effective way to prevent pneumococcal infection. Currently available in Taiwan are 1 pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines, PPV 23, and 2 pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV13 and PCV15 for prevent disease. High-risk groups can follow the Vaccine Recommendations by Taiwan CDC to get protection from pneumococcal infections. S. pneumoniae is the most identified pathogen in secondary bacterial infection patients following a primary influenza virus infection. As a result, annual influenza vaccination is also an important preventive method.