Pneumococcal Vaccine for Adults

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.

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What is the pneumococcal vaccine?

The pneumococcal vaccine is given as a shot to protect you from pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease develops from an infection caused by pneumococcal bacteria. The infection may cause pneumonia or an ear infection. Pneumococcal disease is spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing. The vaccine comes in 2 forms, called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV).

Who should get the pneumococcal vaccine?

• Adults aged 65 years or older will need 1 dose. Another dose may be needed. Your healthcare provider will tell you if you need more vaccine doses and when to get them.
• Adults aged 19 to 64 at high risk for pneumococcal disease will need 1 or more doses of the vaccine. Any of the following can increase your risk for pneumococcal disease:
  • A chronic heart, kidney, or lung disease
  • Liver disease or alcohol use disorder
  • A cerebrospinal fluid leak or cochlear implant
  • A damaged or removed spleen, diabetes, or sickle cell disease
  • A weak immune system, HIV, cancer, or an organ transplant
  • Living in a nursing home or long-term care facility

Who should not get the pneumococcal vaccine or should wait to get it?

• You should not get the vaccine if you have had an allergic reaction to it or to a vaccine for diphtheria, such as DTaP, Tdap, or Td. Tell your healthcare provider if you had an allergic reaction to any other vaccine. Also tell your provider if you have any severe allergies.
• You should wait to get the vaccine if you are sick or have a fever.
• You may need to wait to get the vaccine if you are pregnant. If possible, get the vaccine before you become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks of this vaccine. Your provider can tell you if you are at high risk for pneumococcal infection and when to get the vaccine if you are already pregnant.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• measles virus vaccine/mumps virus vaccine/rubella virus vaccine/varicella virus vaccine
• ProQuad
• Rotarix
• RotaTeq
• rotavirus vaccine

What are the risks of the pneumococcal vaccine?

The area where the vaccine was given may be red, tender, or swollen. You may get a fever and have muscle pain. You may still get pneumococcal disease, even after you get the vaccine. You may have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. This can be life-threatening.

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• Your mouth and throat are swollen.
• You are wheezing or have trouble breathing.
• You have chest pain or your heart is beating faster than normal for you.
• You feel like you are going to faint.

When should I seek immediate care?

• Your face is red or swollen.
• You have hives that spread over your body.
• You feel weak or dizzy.

When should I call my doctor?

• You have a fever.
• You have swollen or painful lymph nodes in your neck.
• You have increased pain, redness, or swelling around the area where the shot was given.
• You have questions or concerns about the pneumococcal vaccine.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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