Pneumonia Vaccine

What Is Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) Disease?

Pneumococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a type of bacteria commonly referred to as pneumococcus. While many people carry this organism in the nose and throat without becoming ill, it can invade the body and cause a range of infections, from middle ear infections to life-threatening conditions affecting the lungs, bloodstream, and brain. The reason some people develop invasive disease while others do not is not fully understood.

Pneumococcal disease spreads through respiratory droplets, meaning it can be passed through coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected person’s secretions. The clinical spectrum of pneumococcal infections ranges from invasive disease to more localized infections. 

How Serious Is Pneumonia?

Pneumococcal disease is one of the leading causes of serious, vaccine-preventable illness in adults in the United States. More than 31,000 cases and more than 3,500 deaths from invasive pneumococcal disease are estimated to have occurred in the United States in 2017, and more than half of these cases occurred in adults who had an indication for pneumococcal vaccination.

Symptoms by Disease Type

Because pneumococcal bacteria can infect several different parts of the body, the symptoms vary depending on which form of disease develops.

• Pneumococcal Pneumonia: Fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Severity can range from moderate illness managed at home to serious infection requiring hospitalization, particularly in older adults and those with underlying health conditions.
• Pneumococcal Meningitis: Stiff neck, high fever, mental confusion and disorientation, and sensitivity to light (photophobia). This form is a medical emergency and carries a significant risk of death or permanent disability.
• Pneumococcal Bacteremia: Symptoms can overlap with both pneumonia and meningitis, and may also include joint pain and severe chills. Because the bacteria are circulating through the blood, bacteremia can affect multiple organ systems simultaneously.
• Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection): Ear pain, a reddened or swollen eardrum, and in some cases fever, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. While less dangerous than invasive forms of pneumococcal disease, it is among the most common bacterial infections in children and can lead to hearing problems if untreated.

Pneumococcal Vaccination

Updated Recommendations

Vaccination is the most effective tool available for preventing serious pneumococcal disease. The United States uses two types of pneumococcal vaccines: pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). Current ACIP-recommended conjugate vaccine options for adults include PCV15 (Vaxneuvance), PCV20 (Prevnar 20), and PCV21 (Capvaxive).

Because the right vaccine and sequencing depends on your age, vaccination history, and health status, The Shot Nurse recommends consulting with a provider to determine which option is appropriate for you. You can also visit our guide to pneumonia vaccines for more detail.

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for a broad population of adults, and recent guideline changes have expanded who qualifies for routine vaccination.

All adults 50 years of age and older who have not previously received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive a single dose of PCV. Lowering the age for routine pneumococcal vaccination offers more adults the opportunity to protect themselves against pneumococcal disease at the age when their risk of infection substantially increases.

Adults between the ages of 19 and 49 who have not been vaccinated are also recommended to receive pneumococcal vaccination if they have risk conditions. Risk conditions include chronic conditions like diabetes, lung disease, and heart disease, and other immunocompromising conditions.

Adults who previously received the older PCV13 vaccine but have not completed their pneumococcal vaccination series should also receive an updated dose. Adults aged 19 years and older who started their pneumococcal vaccination series with PCV13 but have not received all recommended doses should receive either PCV20 or PCV21 to complete the series.

If you are unsure whether your pneumococcal vaccinations are current, our nurses can review your history and help you determine what, if anything, you still need.

Vaccine Safety and Effectiveness

Pneumococcal vaccines have a well-established safety profile supported by decades of use across millions of patients. Side effects, when they occur, are typically mild and localized (soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site) and resolve on their own within a few days. Low-grade fever and fatigue are occasionally reported.

As with any vaccine or medication, rare serious reactions including allergic responses are possible. Anyone with a known allergy to a component of the vaccine, or who experienced a severe reaction to a prior dose, should discuss their history with a provider before vaccination.

Get Your Pneumonia Vaccine Today

The Shot Nurse offers pneumococcal vaccination at both our Memphis, TN and Germantown, TN locations. We also offer complimentary car-side service for patients with impaired mobility. Please note that a caregiver must accompany the patient into the office to complete payment and paperwork.

View the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) for more information.