The CDC recommends that seniors over 65 get a pneumococcal vaccine. Learn more about pneumonia and a free shot that could prove priceless if it saves a life.
The pneumococcal vaccine, also known as the pneumonia shot or Pneumovax, may boost a senior’s immunity against serious, and potentially deadly, infections caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium.
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be spread from person to person. People can get a pneumonia infection more than once. This lung infection may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi or by inhaling a chemical or liquid.
Symptoms of pneumonia primarily include:
Breathing difficulties
Cough
Fever
A healthcare professional may diagnose pneumonia based on symptoms, tests such as a chest x-ray, and/or testing the blood or fluid in the lungs. About 25% of pneumonia infections are caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium.
Treatment depends on what is causing the pneumonia. Success of treatment is affected by the person's immune system, whether or not the bacteria is resistant, severity of infection, and many other variables.
Getting the flu shot (because having the flu can lead to a pneumonia infection)
Why Should Seniors Consider Getting a Pneumonia Shot?
Seniors that are 65 and older are two to three times more likely than the general population to get a pneumococcal infection, according to The Department of Health and Human Services 1996 article entitled “Pneumonia Prevention: It’s Worth a Shot.” Serious pneumococcal infections mainly occur in the:
Lungs (pneumonia – most common site)
Brain/spinal fluid (meningitis)
Blood (bacteremia)
Seniors, especially older adults with chronic illnesses or weakened immunity, may be more vulnerable to the potentially deadly effects of pneumonia and may also suffer serious side effects of treatment. Ten to fifty percent of adults in developed nations who have a pneumococcal pneumonia die from the infection, according to the World Health Organization’s 2003 article entitled “Pneumococcal vaccines.”
Pneumonia Shot Side Effects and General Information
The pneumonia shot is not a live vaccine, therefore it does not cause pneumonia. People who choose to get a pneumonia shot may also get a flu shot at the same time. Seniors who are experiencing an illness, particularly accompanied by a fever, may be advised to wait until they recover before receiving the pneumonia vaccine. Allergic reactions to the pneumonia shot are rare, but those who have experienced an allergic reaction to the pneumonia shot should not get a booster.
About half of people who receive a pneumococcal vaccine experience redness, soreness, and swelling in the area where the injection was given, which is usually in the upper arm. This typically goes away within a short period of time. All vaccines have a potential risk of more serious side effects, so seniors should speak with a healthcare provider regarding their individual risks and benefits regarding the pneumonia shot.
Most seniors only need one pneumococcal shot for approximately ten years of immunity to pneumococcal infections. Some sources indicate that people between the ages of 50 and 65 might experience a better immune effect from the pneumonia shot. Some people, particularly those with lowered immunity, and people who received their first shot before turning 65 and more than five years ago may need one booster pneumonia shot.
Limitations of the Pneumonia Shot include:
It does not protect against other types of pneumonia
It does not guarantee that the person will not get bacterial pneumonia, but studies show that it can prevent most cases of pneumococcal pneumonia.
It will not treat active pneumonia infections.
This is not the same as the pneumococcal-conjugate vaccine for young children
How Much Does the Pneumonia Shot Cost?
At this time, a one-time dose of pneumococcal vaccine is free to seniors with Medicare who have a physician’s order for the shot. Others may also qualify for a free pneumonia shot. Seniors with other types of health insurance may wish to check coverage limitations and requirements for the shot. The cost of the vaccine is much less than the cost associated with a serious case of pneumonia.
Pneumonia Shot for Seniors
Pneumonia can be deadly to seniors, but the pneumococcal vaccine, along with other infection prevention strategies, may help to stop this bacterial infection before it starts. Most people experience no to mild side effects from the shot, and many find it convenient to receive the pneumonia shot when they get the flu shot. Seniors who are on a tight budget may find that they can receive the pneumonia shot for free.
This article is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Consult with your healthcare professional regarding whether or not the pneumonia shot is the best choice for you.
The copyright of the article Pneumonia Shot (PPV) – What Seniors Should Know in Seniors' Health/Medicare is owned by Katrena Wells. Permission to republish Pneumonia Shot (PPV) – What Seniors Should Know in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Avoiding pneumonia is a good idea. I got that, and I still do not recall
much of that time period. Pneumonia is some wicked bad stuff.
Sep 25, 2009 3:08 PM
Katrena Wells :
Pneumonia is definitely a tough infection, especially for seniors.
Sep 27, 2009 11:11 AM
Guest :
In my case, I had a severe reacton to this vaccine. I am 65-female in exc.
health. I had fever of 100.2 for 3 days with severe chills, fatigue and
terrible muscle aches. Also had difficulty breathing. Most of these
symtoms would start in the evening but linger most of the next day. I had
to take 800 mg Motrin to feel even slightly better. It took about 4 full
days to subside. My injection site had an area of swelling and redness the
size of an eggplant. I am not allergic to latex and have no idea what
caused this. I was not ill when receiving shot.
Sep 27, 2009 11:40 AM
Katrena Wells :
I'm so sorry to hear of your reaction to the pneumonia shot. I could find
VERY little information regarding reactions to this shot. Many people could
have reactions that are not documented. If you feel that this shot injured
you, you may want to look at the National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program at: http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/filing_claim.htm I'd also make sure the reaction is documented in your personal health
record and that it is documented with the drug company--it could help
people in the future.
Sep 29, 2009 7:40 AM
Guest :
im 35 years old with asthma, i recived the vaccine on fri 25th sep i
was told this vaccine was fine with rare side effects WELL i was in bed the
whole weekend with a high temp and very red and swollen arm i am still
not 100% yet but getting better.
Sep 29, 2009 10:52 AM
Katrena Wells :
Thanks for taking the time to send a comment regarding your experience with
the pneumonia shot. You're fortunate in that you are young--older people
may have had more problems if they experienced problems from the shot like
you did. I hope that your physician followed up and reported the reaction,
because reported reactions are what data is used when telling others about
side effects. I hope you'll be back to 100% soon! I listed a web site in
another comment regarding making a claim if you feel that a vaccine has
injured you--feel free to copy and paste that address and check out the web
site if you feel that it needs more follow-up.
Oct 1, 2009 10:24 PM
Guest :
Sept. 29, the day following my pneumonia vac. shot, I woke up nauseated,
weak and confused. My arm was red and swollen, I felt clammy and had a low
grade fever.. I had an episode of vision loss which my husband says lasted
about 5 min. I could not account for a brief period of time but my husband
said I appeared awake, just unable to see. My vision slowly returned. I saw
my doc today and he outlined the reddness on my arm and I will see him
again tomorrow. Has this happened to anyone else?
Oct 2, 2009 9:27 AM
Katrena Wells :
Thanks for taking the time to post your comment to my article. You did the
correct thing in returning to your doctor, and I hope your doctor followed
up by reporting the problems you experienced. If people report adverse
effects, they will begin to show up more in the literature.
Many
people who receive this shot experience no or very mild reactions, but
problems that you have experienced are probably much more common than the
literature provides at this time. I haven't personally cared for anyone who
has had a reaction to this shot, but sharing information like this can help
others to make a more informed choice.
Oct 7, 2009 5:42 PM
Guest :
I am 56 and I had the shot yesterday afternoon. By evening the injection
site was swollen and very sore. By this morning I could not wear a shirt
with a close-fitting sleeve. This evening I have chills, low-grade fever
and the injection site is still extremely swollen (hubby said football but
eggplant as described earlier is closer to factual). I agree with your
comment that side-effects are more common than reported.
Oct 7, 2009 5:57 PM
Katrena Wells :
I appreciate that you took the time to share your personal experience with
the shot and do read so many of the comments. I do hope that you give
feedback to your doctor as well and hope you recuperate quickly.
Oct 17, 2009 4:52 PM
Guest :
I received the pneumonia vaccine on Thursday, by eveining I could notmmove
my arm and it was extremely painful to touch. Friday a.m. the area was
swollen, red, very hot covering the arm, armpits, breast, right side of the neck with unbelievable pain. Today I called a walk-in clinic
to ask if I should come in, they in turn referred me back to the pharmacy
that had given the injection because I had to have the lot #, name of the
company etc. The pharmacist checked it out and she was amazed with the
area of redness and swelling. At the walk in clinic I was given a Cortizone
shot, antibiotics and have to return tomorrow if there is not improvement
for yet another shot. I am 66 yr old and had the first pneumonia vaccine
when I was 59. I thought it was very important to have because I had been
diagnosed with sarcoidosis of the right lung. Katrena--you sound like a RN
or a physician?? Thanks so much for your input.
Oct 18, 2009 4:57 AM
Katrena Wells :
I'm glad you sought follow-up treatment after experiencing the those side
effects from the pneumonia shot. That is good that they got the serial and
lot number because it sounds like they are following up by reporting this
to the manufacturer. It is so important to get reactions like this
documented because it can help the data to be more accurate. Yes, I'm
a registered nurse. Feel free to read all about my credentials by clicking
on my name in blue in the article. I'm strictly a freelance writer for
Suite 101 when I write and don't give medical advice, but I certainly use
my expertise to try to keep my articles well-documented and hope that I can
help others with my articles.
Oct 22, 2009 4:02 AM
Guest :
Thursday, Oct 22, 2009. I am a 67 year old female who got my pneumonia shot
in the left arm on Tuesday as well as the flu shot in the right arm. During
the day on Wednesday, my left arm felt a little sore but other than that, I
was fine. That night I started running a low grade temperature and my left
arm became quite sore and uncomfortable to raise higher than my shoulder. I
wasn't able to sleep through the night because every time I turned to lay
on that left side, the discomfort would wake me. I feel it was in my best
interest to get both shots because I suffer from asthmatic bronchitis. If
the shots protect me from getting pneumonia then it will be well worth this
slight discomfort. My right arm is fine and I've started on Tylenol for the
pain in the left arm and my slight fever.
Oct 22, 2009 7:16 PM
Katrena Wells :
It sounds like your symptoms are fairly common side effects that are posted
in the literature. It sounds like you certainly have some good reasons to
consider getting both the flu shot and the pneumonia shot. I hope the
soreness resolves quickly for you and I'd encourage you to make sure that
your healthcare provider does know of your symptoms after these shots so
that they can at least be documented in your record. You (and other readers
too!) are welcome to post follow-up comments to let me know how symptoms
resolved.
Oct 24, 2009 8:52 AM
Guest :
On Oct. 22, 2009 I posted my experience with the pneumonia shot in my left
arm and the flu shot in my right arm. With regards to the soreness and the
lack of ability to raise my left arm, each symptom subsided each day after
I posted. As of today, Oct. 24, I have no side effects at all from the
shots I received on Oct. 20. Thanks for the advice Ketrena and I will
report my information to my PCP. Pat
Oct 24, 2009 12:19 PM
Katrena Wells :
Pat,
Thanks so much for checking back in with me and that's
great news to hear that your symptoms have resolved quickly!
Sep 22, 2009
