Pneumococcal Disease: A Global Killer The airborne bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, also called pneumococcus, is a major heath threat worldwide, especially in developing nations. Young children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to pneumococcal disease, which can occur in the form of pneumonia, sepsis, otitis media, and meningitis. According to the World Health Organization, pneumococcal disease kills 700,000 to 1 million children each year (statistics on the elderly are less conclusive since pneumococcal disease resembles other ailments). Many of these deaths could be prevented through the administration of vaccines or antibiotics