Pneumococcal Vaccination Fact Sheet About Pneumonia: Pneumonia is an illness of the lungs and respiratory system in which the alveoli become inflamed and flooded with fluid (Wikipedia). Pneumococcal pneumonia begins with a high fever, cough, and stabbing chest pains (CDC). Pneumonia can result from infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites (Wikipedia). Pneumonia affects all age groups (Wikipedia). Pneumonia is one of the highest causes of death among the elderly and people who are terminally and chronically ill (Wikipedia). About 5% of people who get pneumococcal pneumonia die from it (CDC). Penicillin was once effective in fighting pneumonia, but the disease has become more resistant to these drugs, making treatment of pneumococcal infections more difficult (CDC). SYMPTOMS of PNEUMONIA: cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, fatigue, and headaches (Wikipedia). Who Should Be Vaccinated (according to the Centers for Disease Control) Anyone 65 or older Anyone 2> years of age who has a chronic health problem: Heart disease Lung disease Sickle Cell disease Diabetes Alcoholism Cirrhosis Leaks of cerebrospinal fluid Anyone 2> years of age who has a disease/condition or is taking a drug that lowers the body’s resistance to infection Hodgkin’s disease Lymphoma, leukemia Kidney failure Multiple myeloma Nephritic syndrome HIV infection or AIDS Damaged spleen, or no spleen Organ transplant Long-term steroids Certain cancer drugs Radiation therapy About the Pneumococcal Vaccination: Most healthy adults who get the pneumonia vaccine (PPV) develop protection within 2-3 weeks of receiving the shot. Pneumococcal vaccine is 60-70% effective. Getting the disease is much more likely to cause serious problems than getting the vaccine. Usually one dose of PPV is all that is needed. A second dose is recommended for those aged 65 or older who got their first dose when they were younger than 65, if 5 or more years have passed since that dose. A second dose is recommended for people who Have a damaged spleen or no spleen Have sickle-cell disease Have HIV infection or AIDS Have cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma Have kidney failure Have nephritic syndrome Have had an organ or bone marrow transplant Are taking medication that lowers immunity Pneumonia Vaccination for Children (according to the Centers for Disease Control) Children 10 years old and younger may get the second dose 3 years after the first dose. Those older than 10 should get the second dose 5 years after the first dose. Who Should Not Be Vaccinated (according to the Centers for Disease Control) Those who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the PPV or who have a severe allergy to a vaccine component. As with an influenza vaccine, those who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting the vaccine. Side Effects from the Pneumonia Shot (according to the Center for Disease Control) The main side effects of the pneumonia shot include redness or pain where the shot was given. Other side effects include fever, muscle aches, or more severe local reactions. There is a very small risk that serious problems, even death, could occur after getting a vaccine.

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