What is pneumonia?
Pneumococcal pneumonia is caused by bacteria living in the upper respiratory tract and can spread to others through coughing or close contact. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can cause mild to severe illness in people of all ages.
Who should get vaccinated?
- People at increased risk for pneumococcal disease include children younger than 5 years old and adults 65 years or older.
- Vaccines are also recommended for people who have long-term health conditions, like heart disease or asthma, those with weakened immune systems, and also people who smoke cigarettes.
- A previous pneumococcal infection will not protect you from future infection, so CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination even for people that have already had pneumococcal disease in the past
Why should you get this vaccination?
Most of the people affected by pneumonia in the United States are adults. CDC data show more than 47,000 people died from pneumonia in the United States during 2020. Immunizations and appropriate treatment (like antibiotics and antivirals) could prevent many of these deaths.
- The pneumococcal vaccine helps prevent pneumococcal disease, because without it, it could lead to pneumonia, meningitis, or sepsis
- Some people, especially children, can carry the bacteria in their nose and throat without being sick and spread it to others
- People at increased risk for pneumococcal disease include children younger than 5 years old and adults 65 years or older
- Different infections can come from pneumococcus bacteria, including pneumonia, meningitis, infections in the blood, middle ear, and the sinuses
- People can get pneumococcal disease more than once
Where can you get it?
- Locations for testing: Urgent cares
- Locations for vaccination: Walgreens, CVS, Publix, Montgomery County Health Department, and community health clinics
More information:
Learn more about pneumonia here.