Pneumonia is a serious respiratory infection that claims millions of lives all over the world yearly. It results in serious health complications, particularly in vulnerable populations like the elderly, very young children, and those with underlying chronic health conditions. Vaccination is thus the best way to prevent pneumonia and possible complications. Everything from who needs it and how it works to the different pneumonia shots, possible risks, and effectiveness will be reviewed in this all-inclusive guide to the pneumonia vaccine.
Who Should Get the Pneumonia Vaccine?
Many groups are compelled to undergo vaccination against pneumonia because of the serious effects the disease could have on the body. Here is the breakdown of those who should get vaccinated:
1. Infants and Young Children
Children under 2 years of age are more prone to the infection. CDC has recommended vaccination of PCV13 in all children below this age. Vaccination usually follows a course of 2, 4, 6 months and a booster dose at 12-15 months.
2. Adults Aged 65 and Older
Their immune systems weaken with age, leaving them prone to infections such as pneumonia. Persons aged 65 years and above should be administered the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. The CDC also recommends a PCV13 dose for all adults aged 65 years and older who have not previously received one.
3. Persons with Certain Medical Conditions
The following groups of people are at an increased risk of developing pneumonia and should be vaccinated:
People with:
- Chronic lung diseases including asthma, COPD
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Immunocompromised state from cancer treatment, HIV, or organ transplantation among others
- Cochlear implant or cerebrospinal fluid leak
4. Smokers
Smoking is a risk factor for pneumonia since it damages the lungs and the immune system. Thus, smokers need the PPSV23 vaccine to reduce their chances of infection.
Also Read: Harmful Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Health
How It Works
The pneumonia vaccine induces an immune response against the invasion of Streptococcus pneumoniae—the common causative agent of pneumonia. When vaccinated, it will program the immune system to recognise and fight the entry of these bacteria in case they invade in the future.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, PCV13
PCV13 contains 13 serotypes of pneumococcal, each targeting the more prevalent and serious forms of pneumonia. A small piece of the bacteria is inactivated and combined with a protein that stimulates an enhanced immune response.
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23)
PPSV23 contains 23 pneumococcal strains and is recommended for adults over 65 years of age, among others. In contrast to PCV13, PPSV23 is a vaccine of purified polysaccharide isolated from sugar molecules on the surface of the bacteria.
What are the Various Types of Pneumonia Shots?
The major two types of pneumonia vaccine available today are against different strains of bacteria that can cause pneumonia. These include:
1. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines
PCVs contain sugars from the outside of the pneumococcus bacteria which are linked, or conjugated, to a protein. The protein helps increase the immune response to the vaccine. There are three kinds of PCV:
- Prevnar13 or PCV13
- Vaxneuvance (PCV15)
- PCV20: Prevnar 20
2. Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV)
Purified sugars are taken from the outside of pneumococcus bacteria and is included in PPSV vaccines. There is only one type of PPSV called PPSV23.
PPSV23 Vaccination is indicated for people aged 65 years and older, those who smoke, and those with various medical conditions. The vaccine contains 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria. It is given in one dose, but some might need another dose five years after the initial vaccination.
The following table summarises the key differences between the four pneumonia vaccines, including their coverage, target age groups, and suitability for individuals with certain medical conditions.
| Vaccine | Protection Coverage | For Healthy Children and Adolescents | For Healthy Adults | For Individuals with Specific Health Conditions |
| PCV13 | Guards against 13 strains of pneumococcal bacteria | Typically administered in four doses to kids under two years old | Not recommended for adults | Can be given to kids and teens (ages 2-18) with certain health risks |
| PCV15 | Guards against 15 strains of pneumococcal bacteria | Typically administered in four doses to kids under two years old | Recommended for adults 65+ who haven’t had a PCV vaccine before | Can be administered to people (ages 2-64) with specific health risks |
| PCV20 | Guards against 20 strains of pneumococcal bacteria | Typically administered in four doses to kids under two years old | Recommended for adults 65+ who haven’t had a PCV vaccine before | Can be given to adults (ages 19-64) with certain health risks |
| PPSV23 | Guards against 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria | Not typically given | Usually given once to adults 65+ a year after receiving the PCV15 vaccine | May be administered to individuals (ages 2-64) who have received the PCV13 or PCV15 vaccines |
What Are the Risks?
Like any vaccine, the pneumonia vaccine can have side effects, although they usually are mild and temporary. Common side effects of pneumonia vaccine include the following:
- Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
More severe side effects can rarely happen, such as very bad allergic reactions. If you experience any of these symptoms after getting the vaccine, seek medical attention right away:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of your face or throat
- Fast heartbeat
- Dizziness or weakness
One should discuss the concerns or possible risks with the health professional prior to administering the vaccine.
How Effective is the Vaccine?
The pneumonia vaccine is hugely effective against infections caused by pneumococcal. However, it may vary in effectiveness considering factors such as age, health status, and strain types of the bacteria. Some of the important points on the effectiveness of the pneumonia vaccines are as follows:
1. Children
Studies have established that PCV13 is highly effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease in children. Estimations have cited a risk reduction for IPD of about 90% in vaccinated children.
2. Adults
In adults, both PCV13 and PPSV23 prevent serious pneumococcal infections. It has been established that PCV13 prevents IPD in older adults, and PPSV23 protects against more strains of pneumococcal bacteria.
3. Persons with Certain Medical Conditions
It is, therefore, very important to get vaccinated if one has a weakened immune system or any other type of chronic condition, since the pneumonia vaccine enormously brings down the potential for serious infections and complication risks in people with certain medical conditions.
Other Potential Benefits
Apart from the direct benefits in terms of protection from pneumonia, the pneumococcal vaccine confers several other benefits, including:
1. Herd Immunity
When a significant proportion of the population has been vaccinated, that helps protect those who cannot be vaccinated. This concept, known as herd immunity, decreases the overall spread of the bacteria.
2. Decreased Antibiotic Resistance
By preventing pneumococcal infections, the vaccine reduces the use of antibiotics, and thus it also fights growing antibiotic resistance. Fewer infections mean fewer opportunities for bacteria to become resistant to antibiotic treatments.
3. Economic Benefits
Preventing pneumonia through vaccination can bring about huge healthcare savings by decreasing the necessity of medical treatment, hospitalization, and chronic care. This reduces a serious economic burden on people and healthcare systems.
Conclusion
The pneumonia vaccine may just help to protect against serious respiratory infections and the possible complications that come with them. Knowing who should be vaccinated, how it works, the different shots available for pneumonia, possible risks, and effectiveness will allow you to make a proper decision about your health and well-being. Vaccination saves not only the individual but also protects public health through the reduction of pneumococcal bacteria transmission and enhancement of herd immunity.
If you or a loved one fits into one of the recommended groups, speak to your healthcare provider regarding your shot to prevent pneumonia. Keeping vaccinations updated is an essential part of health maintenance, preventing life-threatening infections. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, and the pneumonia vaccine happens to be one very powerful preventive measure that can save lives.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Its efficiency varies with the type of vaccine: for PPSV23, generally it works for 5 years, then a booster may be suggested in some cases. PCV13, PCV15, and PCV20 are always very efficient and require only one dose for the majority of adults, though others may be advised a booster by different health conditions or risk factors.
Generally, the first kind of pneumonia vaccine depends on your age and your health condition. For those 65 years or older who have never taken a pneumonia vaccine, this is suggested: Take the PCV15 or PCV20, then take the PPSV23 one year later. For people with special conditions in their health, the recommended one is taking PCV13 or PCV15 first and then PPSV23.
Common side effects of the pneumonia vaccine include pain, redness, and swelling at the injected area, fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. More serious side effects are rare and can include allergic reactions that may present as difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of the face and throat.
The pneumonia shot can hurt due to an injection that goes into the muscle. That certainly can create some pain and irritation locally as muscle tissue reacts to the vaccine. Moreover, the body’s immune response against the vaccine can add into discomfort at the site of injection.
Most people who experience side effects after getting the pneumonia vaccine start to feel better in a few days. Common side effects—soreness at the injection site, fatigue, and mild fever—usually go away on their own within 48 hours to 72 hours. Symptoms that continue to linger or are getting worse need to be discussed with a health professional.
References
- Tereziu, S., & Minter, D. A. (2023, March 20). Pneumococcal Vaccine. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507794/
- Mirsaeidi, M., & Schraufnagel, D. E. (2014). Pneumococcal Vaccines: Understanding Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommendations. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 11(6), 980–985. https://doi.org/10.1513/annalsats.201401-042cme
- Temime, L., Guillemot, D., & Boëlle, P. Y. (2004). Short- and Long-Term Effects of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccination of Children on Penicillin Resistance. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 48(6), 2206–2213. https://doi.org/10.1128/aac.48.6.2206-2213.2004