Abstract: In a population-based study, we use ICD-9-CM codes to estimate the hospitalization rates for pneumococcal disease among young children in Hong Kong, 2000–2005 and the preventable burden using several outcome indicators. For children aged ≤2 years, the average admission rates (per 100,000 person-years) were 23.7 for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), 1047.5 for clinical pneumonia and 213 for radiological pneumonia. For this group of children, the disease burden potentially preventable by vaccination, per 100,000 person-years, were estimated to be 19.3 (95% CI, 16.7–21.9) for IPD, 58.5 (95% CI, 57.3–59.6) for clinical pneumonia and 40.6 (95% CI, 59–82.2) for radiological pneumonia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]