Pneumonia Vaccine: What You Should Know

Vaccines that protect against different types of pneumonia are available. While these vaccines cannot prevent all cases of pneumonia, getting vaccinated lowers your risk of getting the infection. If you’re vaccinated and develop pneumonia, there’s a higher likelihood that you’ll have mild illness.

1. Protects against most common types of pneumonia bacteria

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13 (PCV13) helps protect against the 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria that most commonly cause serious infections in children and adults. It can also help prevent ear infections and pneumonia caused by those 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria.

2. Protects against serious pneumonia infection

Studies show that getting at least 1 shot of PCV13 protects 3 in 4 adults 65 years or older against serious infection called invasive pneumococcal disease; and 9 in 20 adults 65 years or older against pneumococcal pneumonia. It also protects babies from invasive pneumococcal disease.

3. Side effects are usually mild

As with all medicines and vaccines, there is a chance of side effects when you get the pneumonia vaccine. Fortunately, these side effects are usually mild and resolve on their own after a few days. These include:

• redness, swelling, pain or tenderness on the injection site
• fever
• loss of appetite
• irritability
• feeling tired
• headache
• chills

If the side effects persist or become worse, seek medical help immediately.

Consult your doctor about the recommended pneumonia vaccination schedule.

Shop at Watsons for prescription medications and other essential healthcare needs. Ask our pharmacist about the pneumonia vaccine available at Watsons.

References:

https://doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/doh-continues-to-use-PCV13-contrary-to-reports. Accessed 01 July 2021
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/public/index.html. Accessed 01 July 2021