Should I get a pneumonia vaccine?
If you are over 65, the simple answer is "yes". As you age, your immune system doesn’t work as well as it once did and you’re more likely to have trouble fighting off a pneumonia infection. All adults over age 65 should get the vaccine.
Although the pneumonia vaccine can’t prevent all cases, it can lower your chances of catching the disease. And if you’ve had the shot and you do get pneumonia anyway, you will probably have a much milder case. Older adults and some people with health problems are more likely to get pneumonia, a lung infection that makes it harder to breathe. It’s more common among people whose immune systems are weak.
Although the pneumonia vaccine can’t prevent all cases, it can lower your chances of catching the disease. And if you’ve had the shot and you do get pneumonia anyway, you will probably have a much milder case. Older adults and some people with health problems are more likely to get pneumonia, a lung infection that makes it harder to breathe. It’s more common among people whose immune systems are weak.
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When Should I Get the Vaccine?
There’s no such thing as pneumonia season, like flu season. If you and your doctor decide that you need to have a pneumonia vaccine, you can get it done at any time of the year. If it’s flu season, you can even get a pneumonia vaccine at the same time that you get a flu vaccine, as long as you receive each shot in a different arm. What Are the Risks of Getting the Vaccine? You cannot get pneumonia from the vaccine. The shots only contain an extract of the pneumonia bacteria, not the actual bacteria that cause the illness. But some people have mild side effects from the vaccine, including:
Fewer than 1% of people who get the pneumonia vaccine have these types of side effects. Allergic reactions are even rarer. |
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What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. It is most serious for infants and young children, people older than age 65, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems. What are the Symptoms of Pneumonia? The signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe, depending on factors such as the type of germ causing the infection, and your age and overall health. Mild signs and symptoms often are similar to those of a cold or flu, but they last longer. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:
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Remember, you never outgrow the need for vaccines to protect you against disease. Vaccines are safe, and the risk of side effects is low. But if you have questions about them or any special health concerns, talk with your provider.
Want to learn more? Click the links below to read about the pneumonia vaccine and why it might be the right choice for you.
- Pneumonia vaccine information sheet, www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/pcv.pdf
- Even grown-ups need vaccinations, https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/even-grown-ups-needs-vaccinations
- What is pneumonia?, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354204
