What Is a Pneumonia Shot?
Who needs to be vaccinated against pneumococcal diseases?
Commonly known as the pneumonia shot, the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
The PPV is an inactivated (killed virus) vaccine. This means it will not cause pneumococcal disease in recipients of the vaccine.
Within two to three weeks of receiving this vaccine most people become immune to most or all of the 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria, The very young, the very old and some people with long-term chronic illnesses may not respond as well.
Pneumococcal disease can cause:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal pneumonia an infection in the lungs),
- Meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord),
- Bacteremia (blood infection)
- and other infections
Pneumococcal disease can be deadly
Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common form of pneumonia which is an infection/inflammation of the lungs. In the U.S. alone, 500,000 people suffer from pneumococcal pneumonia each year. This usually develops after an upper respiratory infection such as a cold or flu. Each year 40,000 people in the U.S. die from this pneumonia.
Let's Break Down the Numbers
To better understand the threat of these diseases, 1 out of every 20 people who develop pneumococcal pneumonia will die from it. Two out of every ten who get bacteremia will die, and three out of every ten who develop meningitis will die.
In the Canadian province of Manitoba, Manitoba public health officials report that approximately 90 Manitobans will get pneumococcal pneumonia each year. This number may be even higher as not all cases are reported. Of those cases, 29% will be in adults 65 and older.
Who Needs the Pneumococcal Vaccine?
- All adults 65 years and older
- Anyone over the age of two with long-term health problems such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, sickle-cell disease, alcoholism and any condition which causes leakage of cerebrospinal fluid.
- Anyone over the age of two who develops diseases which lower the body's resistance to infection such as cancer, HIV, kidney failure, liver failure, etc., should be vaccinated as well. Anyone who has had a damaged spleen or had their spleen removed should be vaccinated. Others who have had organ transplants should also be vaccinated.
How is it Given?
The PPV is given intramuscularly usually in the upper arm. In most cases only one dose is required although in some instances a repeat vaccine may be needed after five years. Two doses is the maximum a person should have in a lifetime. Consult with your health care practitioner. The PPV can be administered in conjunction with other vaccines.
NOTE: The safety of this vaccine for pregnant women has not been determined.
For more information:
contact the National Immunization Program at the Centers for Disease Control website
In the UK find information from the NHS website
In Australia from the Department of Health and Aging website
In Canada from the Public Health Agency of Canada website
Or perform an Internet search for your country's health agency and search that site for "pneumococcal vaccine".
