Pneumonia Vaccine
Should you get a pneumonia vaccination?



Pneumonia vaccine, or Pneumovax, can protect you from bacterial pneumonia, often a complication of the flu virus. Do you know if you are in one of the high risk groups who should be vaccinated?

The CDC and the physicians' Advisory committee on Immunization Practices recommends that certain groups of people get vaccinated for bacterial pneumonia. The vaccine covers about 90% of pneumococcal pneumonias.

In addition to the 10% of pneumonias that it does not cover, it does NOT protect against staphylococcal pneumonias—like MRSA.

Photo of child getting pneumonia vaccine.

Photo courtesy of HDPT

A pneumonia vaccination should cost you about $30-$50 if you pay out of pocket.

Here are the CDC recommendations:

Healthy People

People who have no immune disorders and fit into the following categories should be immunized against pneumonia:

  • Older than 65
  • Persons who smoke cigarettes
  • People who have asthma
  • American Indians and Alaska natives


People with Compromised Immune Systems

  • People with chronic pulmonary diseases, like COPD and emphysema
  • People undergoing chemotherapy (should be given several months after chemotherapy is completed)
  • Persons with HIV
  • Children 2 or older, with chronic cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease or diabetes mellitus
  • People with alcoholism, chronic liver disease or cerebrospinal fluid leaks
  • People with sickle cell disease or splenectomy
  • People who have received an organ or bone marrow transplant


Possible Side Effects of the PneumovaxPneumonia Vaccine

While most people will not experience any side effects, there are a few that you might experience. If you have any of these side effects, they are caused by your body's immune system reaction to the vaccine. Fewer than 2 people per 100,000 people have serious side effects because of the vaccine each year. But, approximately 500,000 people get sick from pneumococcal pneumonia or pneumococcal meningitis—and 40,000 of those die each year.

Here are the possible side effects from the pneumococcal vaccine:

  • Redness locally, where you received the shot
  • Low grade fever
  • Mild aches or headache
  • Chills

In addition, there is a growing number of physicians and scientists who believe that any vaccine can be harmful.

As you can see, for many people, getting a pneumonia shot is officially recommended. Keep in mind that most people who die with seasonal flu actually die from complications like pneumonia or meningitis--not the flu.

We have yet to see, of course, what the pandemic swine flu virus will bring. But many doctors feel that it doesn't hurt to err on the side of caution and protect yourself by getting a pneumonia vaccine shot.

Others feel that the dangers of vaccines , like Guillan-barre syndrome or autism are too great.

If you are concerned about vaccines, you might want to read Vaccine Legal Exemptions , written by an attorney who has experience in vaccine refusals.