There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines currently in use, which include: Conjugated vaccines (PCV): These use a carrier protein to attach to the bacterial capsular polysaccharides and enable the body to produce both B-cell and T-cell immune responses. This results in longer-lasting immunity. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines can protect children from Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is the most common cause of severe bacterial pneumonia among children. A pneumococcal conjugate vaccine , or PCV , is the vaccine of choice against pneumococcal diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and some blood infections. But what is it, exactly, and why do children and adults alike need it? Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is a pneumococcal vaccine made with the conjugate vaccine method and used to protect infants, young children, and adults against disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus).