Which vaccination is primarily used for pneumonia prevention?

The pneumococcal vaccine is specifically designed to prevent infections caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is a leading cause of pneumonia, as well as other serious infections such as meningitis and bloodstream infections. It is particularly important for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, young children, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to recognize and fight against these bacteria, thus reducing the incidence of pneumonia in vaccinated individuals.

While the influenza vaccine also plays a role in reducing the incidence of viral pneumonia associated with influenza viruses, it does not specifically target the bacteria responsible for pneumococcal pneumonia. The measles vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine are designed to prevent viral illnesses and do not have a direct effect on pneumonia caused by bacterial infections. Therefore, the pneumococcal vaccine is the most relevant vaccination among the options for pneumonia prevention.