Contraindications to Receiving Pneumonia Vaccines Any patient who has had a known allergy to any of the pneumococcal vaccines or has had an allergic reaction to the diphtheria toxoid vaccination should not receive the PCV13 vaccination. Please make sure to speak with your healthcare provider about any known allergies to ensure that you are not allergic to any of the components used to create the vaccine. Patients who have an active infection should wait until they recover before obtaining the vaccination.  Because of the limited research completed on the safety of the PCV13 vaccination during pregnancy, it should be avoided during this time if possible.  The PPSV23 vaccine should not be given if the patient has experienced an allergic reaction to any of the components used to construct the vaccine, or has had an allergic reaction to any pneumococcal vaccine prior.  Those patients who are actively sick should also refrain from receiving the vaccine until they recover if possible.  Avoid this vaccination during pregnancy, as there has not been adequate research performed to determine its safety. Efficacy of the Pneumonia Vaccinations There have been numerous studies conducted that have indicated the efficacy of both these vaccines.  The PCV13 (Prevnar 13) vaccine was found to protect approximately 75 out of every 100 adults age 65 or older against invasive pneumococcal disease; and approximately 45 out of every 100 adults age 65 or older against pneumococcal pneumonia serotypes present within this vaccine.  The PPSV23 vaccine was found to protect between 50-85 out of every 100 healthy adults age 65 or older against pneumococcal invasive disease caused by the serotypes in the vaccine.

Speak with your Medical Provider To determine if you meet the appropriate recommendations by the ACIP and the CDC for the pneumonia vaccine you should speak with your healthcare provider.  Your healthcare provider will be able to administer the vaccination and determine which vaccination is appropriate for your unique medical history. The pneumonia vaccines have been proven to diminish the risk of acquiring invasive pneumococcal disease and complications associated with the infection.  Your healthcare provider will provide you with information surrounding the risks, benefits and possible negative outcomes that may be associated with these vaccines.  At that point in time, you will then be able to make an informed decision as to whether to proceed further with this vaccination. Medicare and most private insurances cover these vaccines and that should be discussed by your primary physician as well.  Don’t take a chance of contracting one of these life-threatening serotypes of Streptococcus Pneumoniae that could otherwise be prevented through vaccination. Why Get the Vaccine Pneumonia is an infectious process that can be transmitted via droplets from patient to patient.  In many cases, pneumonia is not life-threatening and can be treated outpatient.  However, when a patient contracts lobar pneumonia, which by definition affects an entire lobe of the lung, it can create serious, life-threatening health outcomes in even healthy individuals.

Pneumonia primarily affects the lungs, a condition which results in the inflammation of air sacs that absorb oxygen. Common causes of pneumonia include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and inhalation of certain chemical fumes among many others. Walking pneumonia, on the contrary, is a case of pneumonia, also alternatively known as “atypical pneumonia.” Most of the time, this condition is mild, and its symptoms barely cause any discomfort for that matter which are also similar to symptoms of a common cold. It is also an introduction to mild lung infection caused due to a strain of bacterium called “Mycoplasma pneumonia,” and anyone can get affected by the symptoms of walking pneumonia. Symptoms of walking pneumonia affect a majority of the population since pneumonia is highly contagious, and the virus can spread using the atmosphere as its carrier making it a common airborne disease. Common symptoms of walking pneumonia include: Chest pain is an introduction to common symptoms of walking pneumonia experienced even during normal breathing. This is mainly due to the inflammation of air sacs, which reduces your lung capacity that ultimately affects natural breathing. A cough is one of the associated symptoms of common cold and walking pneumonia alike. However, cough concerning pneumonia is severe with violent spasms as the muscle contracts and expands rapidly in your throat.