Pneumonia Shot

What is the pneumonia shot?

The pneumonia shot protects you against the bacteria that are the most common cause of pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. This shot protects against bacteria called pneumococci. They cause a type of pneumonia called pneumococcal or streptococcal pneumonia. They can cause dangerous infections in other parts of the body as well as the lungs, such as the blood and brain.

Pneumococcal pneumonia can happen after an upper respiratory tract infection, such as a cold or the flu. The risk is especially high if you have a chronic disease or are over age 65. The risk of getting pneumonia goes up after age 40.

This shot cannot protect you from all types of pneumonia, but it can prevent the most common form.

Who should have the shot?

Your healthcare provider may recommend the shot if:

• You are 65 years old or older.
• You are scheduled to have chemotherapy (have the shot at least 2 weeks before chemotherapy starts).
• You have a long-term health problem, such as diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease, kidney disease, or liver disease.
• You have asthma.
• You have a problem that makes it harder for your body to fight infection, such as leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, or lymphoma.
• You have a cochlear implant in your ear.
• You have taken a medicine or had treatment that lowers the body's ability to resist or fight infections, such as long-term steroid use, cancer medicine, or radiation therapy.
• You are an alcoholic or a smoker.
• You have HIV/AIDS, an organ transplant, or another condition that has weakened your immune system.
• You have sickle cell disease.
• You do not have a working spleen.

You may need a second pneumonia shot if you got your first shot when you were younger than 65 and it was more than 5 years ago. You should have no more than 2 shots of the pneumonia vaccine in your lifetime. The shots should be given at least 5 years apart.

Do not get the shot if you:

• have an infection now (wait until the infection symptoms go away)
• are allergic to thimerosal (a preservative made from mercury)
• had an allergic reaction to the vaccine in the past.

Does the shot cause side effects?

After getting this shot you may have redness, soreness, or swelling in the area where you had the shot. This usually lasts just a day or two. Rare side effects include a low fever and body aches that last a few days. Serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions, are very rare.

You cannot get pneumococcal infection from the shot.

What else should I know about this shot?

• The pneumonia shot does not protect you from getting sick right away. Within 2 to 3 weeks after receiving the shot your body will make enough special cells (antibodies) to fight the pneumonia bacteria.
• The cost of the shot is covered by Medicare and most state Medicaid insurance. It may be covered by private health insurance, depending on the reasons you are getting it. Check with your insurance company.
• You can get the shot at your healthcare provider's office or at most local health departments.
• You can have a flu shot and a pneumococcal pneumonia shot at the same time without increasing side effects.
• Check with your healthcare provider about other shots you may need.
• For more information, contact:

  National Coalition for Adult Immunization
  Phone: 1-301-656-0003
  Web site: http://www.nfid.org

  American Lung Association
  Phone; 1-800-586-4872
  Web site: http://www.lungusa.org

  You can also get information from your local health department.