Dia Spriggs wrote in a message to Sue Alexander:
> The pneumonia shot is only a vaccine to one of the
> common bacteria that cause pneumonia (named Streptococcus
> pneumoniae).  You may still get pneumonia if you get the
DS> I thought vaccines were against virus, not bacteria.  I was told
DS> that the pneumonia vaccine would only protect against viral
DS> pneumonia, not bacterial. 
     Vaccines can be to bacteria as well.  It may actually be easier to make 
a vaccine against a bacterium, as bacteria tend to be more stable in their 
configuration.  Vaccines against bacteria are not as common however, probably 
due to the fact most infections caused by bacteria can be treated by 
antibiotics.  From what I have seen (I haven't seen actual documentation of 
the vaccine, just news reports) the pneumonia vaccine is to S pneumo and was 
developed as pneumonia can be very deadly even with treatment if a person is 
immunocompromised due to age or disease.
     Whooping cough is one vaccine against a bacterium that comes readily to 
mind....
     Sue
... Support bacteria--it's the only culture some people have!
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