OBJECTIVES: In the elderly population, acute respiratory infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially with the rapid changes in demographic structure in Brazil. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of illness and death worldwide. Current Immunization Program in Brazil includes pneumococcal vaccination in high risk groups (e.g. diabetic patients, immunosuppressed, with pulmonary disease, among others). This study evaluated the burden of pneumonia among elderly in Brazil from the public healthcare perspective. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of Brazil public hospital admissions for pneumonia was developed according to ICD-10 classification (Pneumonia J12-J18) in elderly (aged ≥ 60 years), as reported in Brazilian Hospital Information System (SIH/DATASUS) database from January 2014 to December 2015. RESULTS: In this population, respiratory infections were the leading cause of mortality, and pneumonia was responsible for more than 60% of it. Hospital admissions by pneumonia were 231,921 and 242,465 in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and deaths were 39,807 and 43,112 for the same period. Mean length of stay was 7 days for the analyzed period. The total admissions cost was 256,638,420 BRL and 267,012,950 BRL in 2014 and 2015 respectively, which represents 51.4% of total respiratory diseases costs. Mean cost per admission was 1,103.85 BRL over the two year period. CONCLUSIONS:  The costs associated with hospitalizations for pneumonia in the elderly from the public healthcare perspective can be substantial in Brazil. Despite the existence of an Immunization Program for high risk groups, the number of admissions for pneumonia remains high. A universal vaccination program for the elderly population could bring a higher benefit in the current vaccination program.