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Can you be immunized for pneumonia?

Updated: Sep 17, 2020

If you have ever had pneumonia, you know it's no walk in the park! Pneumonia can become very serious for those who are already ill, immunocompromised, and/or older generations.


The symptoms of pneumonia can leave you feeling exhausted and physically drained from all the coughing.


According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:

  • Chest pain when you breathe or cough

  • Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)

  • Cough, which may produce phlegm

  • Fatigue

  • Fever, sweating and shaking chills

  • Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems)

  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

  • Shortness of breath


For those at high-risk, we want you to know about our pharmacy offered pneumonia vaccinations. The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all children younger than 2 years old and all adults 65 years or older. In certain situations, other children and adults should also get pneumococcal vaccines. Click here to learn more.


The steps to the immunization process are a little confusing and overwhelming to most, however, our Pharmacist Dr. Sheriden Frannks, PharmD of Kingston Pharmacy has helped us outline the process int the below steps.


If not previously vaccinated or unknown vaccine history

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Give Prevnar 13 first

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1 year later give Pneumovax 23


Previously vaccinated with Pneumovax 23

At or after age 65

↓

Administer Prevnar 13

(at least one year after most recent Pneumovax 23 dose)


Previously vaccinated with Pneumovax 23

Before age 65 who are now 65 or older

↓

Administer Prevnar 13

(at least one year after most recent Pneumovax 23 dose)

↓

At least one year later, administer Pneumovax 23 again (no sooner than 5 years after the most recent dose of Pneumovax 23)

  • Prevnar 13 is a vaccine approved for adults 18 years of age and older for the prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive disease caused by 13 Streptococcus pneumonia strains

  • The most common side effects are: pain, warmth, soreness, redness, swelling, and hardening at the injection site headache weakness, feeling tired muscle pain

  • Pneumovax 23 is a vaccine that is given as a shot. It helps protect you from infection by certain germs or bacteria

  • Pneumovax 23 is for people 50 years of age and older. It is also for people who are 2 years of age and older if they have certain medical conditions that put them at increased risk for infection.

  • The most common side effects are: pain, warmth, soreness, redness, swelling, and hardening at the injection site headache weakness, feeling tired muscle pain


 

Please feel free to stop by or call our pharmacies to help you understand if you would a candidate for this immunization.


Be Healthy!


 

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