What is pneumococcal disease? Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by a certain type of bacteria. When these bacteria invade the lungs, they cause the most common kind of bacterial pneumonia. The same bacteria can also attack the bloodstream (bacteremia) and/or the brain (meningitis). The infection kills thousands of people in the United States each, most of them over 65 years of age.   What are the symptoms of pneumococcal disease (pneumonia)? High fever, cough with chest pain and mucus, shaking chills, breathlessness, and chest pain that increases with breathing. Symptoms of pneumococcal meningitis include stiff neck, fever, mental confusion and disorientation, and photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light). The symptoms of pneumococcal bacteremia may include a combination of pneumonia, meningitis, arthritis and fever.   How long does the pneumonia vaccination last? One shot lasts most people a lifetime.Under 65 years of age, it is recommended that boster shots be given every 5 years.

-Who should get a pneumonia shot?

-People who are 65 and older; people who have chronic illness such as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, sickle cell disease, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, --chronic liver disease, or cerebrospinal fluid leaks; people with weak immune systems due to illnesses such as Hodgkin’s disease, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, --and those who have had their spleen removed; residents of nursing homes; Alaskan Natives and certain American Indian populations.

 

-Is the vaccine safe?

The vaccine is safe and effective in preventing illness and death due to pneumococcal disease. Some people have mild side effects from the shot, but these are -usually minor and last only a short time. When side effects do occur, the most common include swelling and soreness at the spot where the shot was given. A few people experience fever and muscle pain. As with any medicine, there are very small risks that serious problems, even death, could occur after getting a vaccine. However, the risks from the disease far outweigh the risks from the vaccine. You cannot get pneumococcal disease from the vaccine.