Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines: what to know

Influenza vaccination is designed to reduce illness from influenza viruses and is updated as circulating viruses change. Pneumococcal vaccination helps protect against disease caused by pneumococcal bacteria, which can cause pneumonia and other serious infections. One vaccine does not replace the other.

Eligibility and timing depend on factors such as age, pregnancy, immune status, chronic heart or lung disease, smoking, previous vaccination and local recommendations. Vaccination lowers risk but cannot prevent every respiratory illness, so cough, fever, chills or fatigue still deserve sensible precautions.

Ask a qualified clinician or vaccination service to review your records and recommend an appropriate schedule. Tell them about previous reactions, allergies, current illness and medicines. Keep a record of the vaccines given. After vaccination, mild soreness or tiredness can occur; follow the service's advice about symptom relief.

Seek urgent help after vaccination for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, widespread hives, collapse or severe dizziness. If you develop a high fever, worsening cough, chest pain or breathlessness, seek medical assessment even if you were recently vaccinated, because vaccination does not rule out infection.

Ask whether you need one or both vaccines, whether they can be given during the same visit, and which timing applies to you. Mention pregnancy, immune problems, long-term conditions, allergies and any previous vaccine reaction.