Who Needs a Pneumonia Vaccine and How Often?

More than 400,000 people are hospitalized every year in the United States with complications of pneumonia. A simple vaccine could have prevented many of these severe cases. 

The pneumococcal vaccine is available at Healthstone Primary Care Partners at our offices in Weston, Davie, and Pembroke Pines, Florida. The practice also provides other essential vaccines to protect children, adults, and seniors from serious diseases. 

Here’s more about why vaccines are important and who benefits from getting vaccinated for pneumonia.

Protect the young from pneumonia

Children receive several vaccines early in life to protect them from serious diseases, including polio, mumps, whooping cough, and measles. Teens also benefit from certain vaccines to protect them against meningitis and the sexually transmitted versions of human papillomavirus (HPV). 

This childhood protection is essential because children, especially those under the age of two, don’t have strong immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections and illness. Vaccines prevent devastating long-term complications from disease and even death. 

Children benefit from getting the PCV13 vaccine early on in life. This vaccine is designed for infants six weeks to two years. The PCV13 immunization provides newborns and infants with protection against 13 strains of pneumococci, all of which can lead to pneumonia.

Keeping babies, toddlers, and children protected from pneumonia and other diseases also prevents the spread of infection to other members of your household or family.

Protect older adults from pneumonia

Older adults, especially those 65 and older, are particularly vulnerable to complications associated with pneumonia. For this population, we recommend the PCV23 vaccination, which protects against 23 strains of pneumococci. 

For people who have never received a pneumococcal vaccine, we may administer two different vaccinations to ensure more complete protection.

Pneumonia vaccines offer about 60-70% protection for all populations. The PCV23 offers an impressive 80% protection rate in people 64 years and older who have a healthy immune system.

The pneumococcal vaccine is different from vaccines for illnesses like the flu or COVID-19. Instead of needing a yearly dose, you need just one or two shots to provide protection against pneumococcal infection.

Protect the vulnerable

Age is an important consideration when determining whether you need the pneumococcal vaccine, but we also pay attention to people with specific risk factors.

The team at Healthstone Primary Care Partners recommends the pneumonia vaccine for people who have the following health risk factors:

• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Asthma
• Heart disease
• Autoimmune disorders
• HIV/AIDS
• Lung issues, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)

People undergoing treatments that weaken immunity, like chemotherapy or taking immune-suppressing medications, also benefit from getting the pneumococcal vaccine.

If you’re unsure whether your pre-existing condition makes you more vulnerable to developing pneumonia and associated complications, just reach out to us. We can help you determine if the pneumococcal vaccine is right for you.

Protect yourself from pneumonia with the pneumococcal vaccine. Call Healthstone Primary Care Partners today or use this website to schedule an appointment.