What should you know about the pneumonia vaccine?

Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs, and different germs can cause it. A pneumococcal vaccine trains the immune system to recognise selected pneumococcal bacteria. Protection is especially relevant when illness could become more serious, including for some older adults, young children, and people with certain long-term conditions or reduced immune function. Vaccination lowers risk but cannot cover every cause of pneumonia.

Ask a clinician whether this vaccine is recommended for your age, health conditions, pregnancy status, or travel plans. Bring your immunisation record and mention previous vaccine reactions. Continue hand hygiene and follow advice for influenza and COVID-19, because those infections can also affect the lungs. Vaccination does not treat an active chest infection.

Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, or chest pain. Contact a clinician promptly for fever with a worsening cough, chills, or coughing up phlegm, especially if you have a long-term illness. Sepsis can develop from infection and requires emergency assessment when there is rapidly worsening illness, extreme weakness, or difficult breathing.

Ask which pneumonia vaccine is suitable, whether you need more than one type, and how it fits with your other vaccines. Clarify expected local effects, what to do if you feel unwell afterward, and whether a current illness should change the timing.