Pneumonia Vaccine

Schedule Your Pneumonia Vaccine Today

You hear a lot about different vaccines today. One you should be sure to get is the pneumonia vaccine. As you age, your body’s ability to protect itself lessens, making it more likely that you catch an infection that can do real damage. Pneumonia, a condition more common among adults 65 years old and older, attacks your respiratory system, causing pain and labored breathing. Pneumonia can also lead to serious complications like respiratory failure and death.

If you are 65 years old or older and covered by Medicare, you can receive a free pneumonia vaccine any time of year at your doctor’s office, a walk-in clinic, a community pharmacy, or possibly even your doctor’s office. Protect yourself by talking to your doctor about pneumonia vaccines today.

Why should I get the vaccine?

As you get older, your body loses some of its youthful vitality. And after age 65, you might be more vulnerable to serious illness because even if you’ve lived a healthy life, your immune system’s ability to ward off illness naturally declines. Smoking and drinking, along with conditions like heart disease, diabetes and emphysema, also weaken the body’s defenses against bacteria and viruses. 

That’s where the pneumonia vaccines come in.

How does the vaccine work?

The pneumonia vaccine (also known as the pneumococcal vaccine) helps your body fight off bacteria, viruses or fungi that can fill the air sacs in your lungs with liquid and impact your breathing. While there’s no way to block all forms of pneumonia, getting a pneumonia shot significantly decreases your likelihood of contracting it. And if you do catch pneumonia, you’ll have a much milder case.

There are two types of pneumonia vaccines, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PVC13) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23).  PCV13 protects against 13 pneumonia-related bacteria. PPSV23 protects against 23. For most people 65 and older, one injection of each vaccine is enough to protect you for a lifetime. However, you might need a booster shot in some cases, especially if you suffer from a chronic medical condition like leukemia or chronic renal failure. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions.

How long is the vaccination process?

The injection is quick, and most discomfort fades within a day. Your physician will sterilize the injection site, usually your shoulder muscle. You may feel a prick of the needle as the liquid solution enters your muscle and begins spreading, so it can produce antibodies that will fight off pneumonia bacteria. 

What are the side effects?

There are no live bacteria, fungi or viruses in the pneumonia vaccine, so you can’t get pneumonia from getting your shot. If you do experience side effects, rest easy, knowing that they are mild and improve quickly.

You may experience

Call your doctor if your side effects last longer than a few days.

When should I get the vaccine?

You can catch pneumonia any time of year, but it’s more common in the winter. Because there is no “pneumonia season,” you can schedule a pneumonia vaccine at any time, including during a routine check-up or along with your flu shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the pneumonia vaccine for anyone 65 years old and older and those with weakened immune systems.

Call your doctor today to schedule your appointment or visit beaumont.org/findadoc to find a Beaumont primary care physician near you.