The pneumonia shot refers to the vaccines for pneumonia that provides protection against various serotypes of pneumococcal bacteria. After receiving the vaccine shot, healthy individuals develop protection against most of Pneumococcal strains within 2 to 3 weeks.

Contrary to a myth, the pneumonia shot does not result in pneumonia as it is prepared from bacterial component which is not infectious. Moreover, the vaccines itself is inactivated; therefore it can be given alongside with other vaccines like flu.

Types of Pneumonia Shot

There are various types of vaccination available in the market and many scientific groups continue to do further research to invent more strong vaccines that provide protection from large number of serotypes.

•                    Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV23) provides protection against 23 serotypes

•                    Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) provides protection against 13 serotypes

Who needs pneumonia shot?

If you fall into any of the below mentioned categories, then you may visit your health care provider and discuss about receiving the pneumonia shot.

•                    Older Adults in age group of 65 years and above; need to get vaccinated if they are previously unvaccinated.

•                    Individuals who smoke cigarettes should get vaccinated

•                    Individuals (age between 2–64 years) with Chronic cardiovascular disease such as congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy

•                    Individuals with Chronic pulmonary disease such as COPD, emphysema, asthma

•                    Individuals with Diabetes mellitus, cochlear implant patients

•                    Individuals with Chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis, alcoholic, or have a cerebrospinal fluid leak.

•                    Individuals who are residents of Alaska Natives or certain American Indian populations

•                    Individuals between 2–64 years and have functional or anatomic Asplenia

•                    Individuals (age 2 years and older) with immune-compromised system due to HIV/AIDS infection, Hodgkin’s disease, generalized malignancy, chronic renal failure, leukaemia, etc. 

•                    Individuals who are receiving immune-suppressive therapy

•                    Individuals who had receive an organ or bone marrow transplant

Side Effects of Pneumonia Shot

The vaccines for pneumonia shot are very safe and produce very mild side effects if any.

Common side effects of pneumonia shot

•                    Redness/rashness at the injection site

•                    Mild Fever

•                    Mild Pain

•                    Pain in the muscles

Source of information for Pneumonia Shot

You may contact at the below mentioned address for getting the detailed information about any pneumonia shot, vaccines available, frequencies of doses, etc.

•                    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Immunization Program

1600 Clifton Road NE

Atlanta, GA 30333

1-800-232-2522

•                    American Lung Association

1740 Broadway

New York, NY 10019-4374

1-800-LUNG-USA

(1-800-586-4872)