Pneumonia Vaccines for Seniors in Temple: What to Know

According to Our World in Data, pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. This is when your lungs become inflamed, as well as full of pus and fluid. As a result, it prevents us from breathing properly.

People can catch pneumonia from a number of things, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. We can't prevent ourselves from running into these things, but the good news is that there's a pneumonia vaccine.

This article will tell you why pneumonia vaccines for seniors in Temple, TX, are important, as well as which types are available and other pertinent information.

Why Pneumonia Vaccines for Seniors Are Important

As we've just said in the introduction, pneumonia can be a deadly infection. Seniors are at a higher risk of the following:

• Complications
• Hospitalization
• Death

This is because they naturally have a weakened immune system. That, in combination with chronic health conditions, can make them especially vulnerable.

Fortunately, pneumococcal vaccines can significantly reduce these risks and provide aging immune protection. What's great is that the vaccine protects against illnesses caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium, which includes:

• Pneumonia
• Meningitis
• Bacteremia (blood infection)
• Sinus and ear infections

The Types of Pneumonia Vaccines Available

In the US, there are two main types of pneumococcal vaccines that are approved for use in older adults. They're both outstanding for preventive health for aging adults, so let's explore them in more detail below.

PCV20

PCV20 (Prevnar 20) is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. As the name indicates, it covers 20 strains of pneumococcal bacteria.

This vaccine works by stimulating both the T-cell and B-cell immune responses for longer-lasting protection.

This vaccine is approved for all adults 65 and older, and it's a single-dose vaccine.

PPSV23

PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23) is a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. It covers 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria, and it's been used for many years to protect older adults and those with chronic health conditions.

Sometimes, PPSV23 is used in combination with a conjugate vaccine (e.g., PCV15 or PCV21) for broader protection. However, now that PCV20 is widely available, this practice is less common.

How the Pneumonia Vaccine Works

As you can see, there are two different pneumonia vaccines. They both have their unique ways of helping seniors fight against pneumococcal bacteria, but ultimately, they expose your immune system to small, harmless parts of the bacteria so your body can recognize and fight the real pathogen later.

Conjugate Vaccines

Conjugate vaccines (PCV20, PCV15, and PCV21) work by linking sugars to a protein. This creates a stronger and longer-lasting immune response.

Polysaccharide Vaccines

Polysaccharide vaccines (PPSV23) contain purified bacterial sugars. However, they don't produce as strong or lasting immunity on their own.

The Current CDC Recommendations

As of October 2024, the CDC recommends that adults 50 years or older get the pneumococcal vaccination.

However, if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or vaccine component, it's not recommended that you get this shot. Those who are moderately or severely ill at the time of the planned vaccine should postpone the appointment and wait until recovery.

The Pneumonia Vaccine Schedule for Seniors

Adults 50 years or older who have never received a pneumonia vaccine or don't know their previous vaccination history should get one of the following:

• PCV15
• PCV20
• PCV21

If you receive PCV15, then you'll need a dose of PPSV23 a year later. But if you have an immunocompromising condition, a cochlear implant, or a cerebrospinal fluid leak, you'll need the dose of PPSV23 eight weeks later.

If you've had the PCV20 or PCV21 vaccine, then you won't need a dose of PPSV23. This is because your pneumococcal vaccinations are considered complete.

If you're 65 or older, then you can get either the PCV20 or PCV21 vaccine if you've had PCV13 at any age or PPSV23 at or after the age of 65. Otherwise, you won't need additional pneumococcal vaccines.

One of our immunization tips for seniors is to talk to your doctor if you're unsure of your vaccination history. They can help you verify it through immunization records or advise you on the appropriate next steps.

The Possible Side Effects

All vaccines have possible side effects, but generally speaking, they're safe and well-tolerated, even in older populations. So you should still get senior vaccines in Temple, TX.

With that said, the common side effects are:

• Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Fatigue
• Mild fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches

The rare side effects are a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), as well as fainting or dizziness immediately after the shot.

Fortunately, most people recover quickly from minor side effects. Make sure you stay hydrated and watch for signs of dehydration.

However, if you don't recover quickly and your symptoms persist beyond 48-72 hours, or worsen over time, you should speak with your doctor.

Can You Get Pneumonia After the Vaccine?

With both the flu and pneumonia shots, it's possible to get ill even after you've received the vaccine. However, the key difference is that the flu shot is only effective for a season, so you have to repeat the vaccine.

No vaccine is 100% effective, but this one can greatly reduce your risk of severe illness or hospitalization. It can also reduce the severity of pneumonia if you do get sick.

More importantly, it helps protect others through herd immunity. This is especially helpful if you live in close proximity to other older adults, such as in an independent senior living community.

You should also note that pneumonia can be caused by other organisms, like viruses or fungi. So it's important to stay current on other vaccines too.

Make Sure You're Vaccinated

The pneumonia vaccines for seniors are very effective in protecting you from the pneumococcal bacteria. So make sure you're protected against this serious threat.

If you haven't received the vaccine before, then you can get it at your primary care provider's office. You can also check with local pharmacies and community health clinics. And while you're at it, ensure that you're up-to-date on other vaccines so you have the maximum protection against other illnesses.

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