What should you know about vaccination against pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection affecting the lungs, and different germs can cause it. Vaccines may target particular bacteria or viruses linked with serious respiratory illness. Eligibility and timing depend on age, health conditions, previous doses and local guidance. Influenza and COVID-19 can also lead to respiratory complications, so a clinician may discuss other recommended vaccines alongside pneumonia vaccination.

Bring your vaccination record and tell the clinician about allergies, a previous vaccine reaction, pregnancy, immune conditions and medicines. A sore arm, tiredness or a mild fever can occur after vaccination and usually settles with simple care. Keep taking practical steps to reduce infection spread, including hand hygiene and staying away from others when acutely unwell. Vaccination does not treat pneumonia that is already present.

Contact a clinician for a new cough with fever, chills, chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness or coughing up phlegm, particularly when symptoms are worsening or the person has a long-term condition. Seek emergency help for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting or inability to stay awake. Pneumonia can sometimes progress to sepsis, so rapidly worsening illness with marked weakness or clammy skin needs urgent attention.

Ask which vaccine is suitable, whether another dose is needed, how your medical conditions affect timing, and which other respiratory vaccines should be considered. Ask how to distinguish expected post-vaccine symptoms from signs of infection.