- What is pneumococcal vaccination?Pneumococcal vaccines help prevent certain types of pneumococcal disease, which is defined as illness caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines available in the United States:• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs)• Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)To learn more about pneumonococcal vaccination from the CDC, visit the CDC website opens in a new tab.
- Who should get a pneumococcal vaccine? Children under 2 years old• The CDC recommends opens in a new tab PCV20 or PCV15 for all infants as a series of 4 doses (1 dose at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 through 15 months).Children 2–18 years old with certain medical conditions• Dosage and type of pneumococcal vaccine is based on medical conditions, age and vaccination history. Visit the CDC opens in a new tab to learn more.Adults 19 to 49 years of age with certain medical conditions or other risk factors• The CDC recommends opens in a new tab pneumococcal vaccination for adults 19 through 49 years old who have certain chronic medical conditions or other risk factors.Adults 50+• The CDC recommends opens in a new tab a pneumococcal vaccine for all adults 50 years and older who have not received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine before or if their previous vaccine history is unknown.
An update to this recommendation also states that if you previously received PCV13 and PPSV23 at least 5 years ago you may be eligible for PCV20 or PCV21. Talk to your pharmacist for advice about your pneumococcal vaccine needs.
- Who should not get a pneumococcal vaccine?
Because of health issues or age, certain people should not receive certain vaccines or should wait before receiving them.
• Children younger than 2 years old should not get PPSV23
• Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a pneumococcal vaccine or to any component of the vaccine should not get another dose. Tell your health care provider if you have any severe allergies.
• Anyone who is moderately or severely ill should wait until they recover before getting the vaccine.
• Pregnant women should consult with their OB/GYN before getting vaccinated. While there is no evidence that a pneumococcal vaccine is harmful to either a pregnant woman or to her fetus, as a precaution, women with conditions that put them at risk for pneumococcal disease should be vaccinated before becoming pregnant, if possible.
- What are the side effects of a pneumococcal vaccine?
Side effects vary by vaccine. The information below is general and is not a complete description of risks. Ask a healthcare professional and review information provided with the vaccine selected for you.
Mild-to-moderate side effects:
PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21• Redness, swelling, pain or tenderness at the injection site• Fever, loss of appetite, irritability, drowsiness, headache, and chillsPPSV23• Redness or pain at the injection site, headache, muscle ache, fatigueSevere side effects are rare for pneumococcal vaccines but may include allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives, pale skin, fast heartbeat or dizziness.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help ease pain and reduce fever. It's extremely rare for these vaccines to cause serious harm or death. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any unexpected or worsening reactions after receiving a vaccine.
Pneumonia (Pneumococcal) Vaccine | Walgreens
What is pneumococcal pneumonia?
Pneumococcal pneumonia is a lung infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that can infect the upper respiratory tract and spread to the blood, lungs, middle ear or nervous system. Pneumococcal pneumonia can be spread from person to person through close contact. According to the CDC, about 320,000 people get pneumococcal pneumonia each year, leading to over 150,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths annually, mostly among the elderly.
Anyone can get pneumococcal disease but children under 5 years of age, people with certain underlying medical conditions, adults ages 50+ and people who smoke cigarettes are particularly at risk. Some of the underlying medical conditions that put people at risk for pneumococcal pneumonia include: diabetes, chronic heart, kidney, lung, liver diseases or sickle cell disease, asplenia and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Specific recommendations around who should receive a pneumococcal vaccination—and recommended vaccine schedules—are below.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you believe you have a medical emergency, please call 911.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Hall E., Wodi A.P., Hamborsky J., et al., eds. 14th ed. Washington, D.C. Public Health Foundation, 2021
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/hcp/vaccine-recommendations/index.html opens in a new tab. Accessed: October 24, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vaccine Preventable Adult Diseases. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-adults/diseases/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/vpd.html opens in a new tab. Accessed: October 24, 2024.