Asthma and pneumococcal vaccination

Pneumococcus is a bacterium that can cause pneumonia and other serious infections. Vaccination trains the immune system to recognise selected types of the bacterium. It does not prevent every chest infection, does not treat an active infection and does not replace asthma controller medicines.

Whether vaccination is suitable depends on age, the nature and severity of asthma, medicines that affect immunity, other medical conditions and previous vaccine doses. Recommendations can differ between national programmes, so a clinician or vaccination service should check the current UAE schedule and your record rather than relying on asthma alone.

Bring your vaccination record and medicine list. Tell the vaccinator about previous serious vaccine reactions, current fever or significant illness, pregnancy, immune-suppressing treatment and any recent vaccines. Do not stop an asthma inhaler for vaccination unless the prescribing clinician tells you to.

Temporary soreness, redness, tiredness or feeling unwell can occur after a vaccine. Follow the vaccinator's advice on symptom relief and keep using asthma treatment as prescribed. If a cough, wheeze or fever develops, do not assume it is merely a vaccine effect; assess it according to severity and seek clinical advice when it persists or worsens.

Call emergency services for difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, widespread hives with faintness, collapse, confusion, or blue or grey lips after vaccination. These signs require rapid assessment; use an adrenaline auto-injector if one has been prescribed for you and follow its instructions.

Asthma can also worsen around a respiratory illness. Follow your action plan for increasing wheeze, cough or chest tightness, and obtain urgent care if reliever treatment does not produce the expected response. Vaccination history should not delay assessment of severe breathing symptoms.

Ask whether your age, asthma severity, medicines or other conditions place you in a recommended group; which pneumococcal vaccine is appropriate; and whether previous doses change the timing. Clarify what reactions to expect, whom to contact if you become unwell, and when your vaccination record should next be reviewed.