Pneumonia Vaccination
Pneumonia Vaccines & Information in Beverly, MA
What Is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a lung disease caused by streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria and is capable of infecting the upper respiratory tract and then spreading to one’s blood, lungs, middle ear, and nervous system. It is one of the leading vaccine-preventable diseases that can lead to death in the US. It is contagious with close contact, and people of any age are vulnerable with children under two years old, adults over 65 years old, and people with pre-existing medical problems being most at risk.
Pneumonia vaccines can help prevent pneumococcal disease. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines available in the United States: the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). NIMVAX can provide either to people throughout the Beverly area at our pharmacy.
More About Pneumococcal Vaccinations
Pronounced (noo-muh-KOK-uhl)
Pneumonia vaccines help prevent pneumococcal disease, which is any type of illness caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. There are two kinds of pneumococcal vaccines available in the United States:
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or PCV13
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine or PPSV23
The CDC recommends PCV13 for all children younger than 2 years old and people 2 years or older with certain medical conditions. Adults 65 years or older also can discuss and decide, with their clinician, to get PCV13.
The CDC recommends PPSV23 for all adults 65 years or older, people 2 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions, and adults 19 through 64 years old who smoke cigarettes.
Other Ways to Prevent Pneumonia
Wondering what else besides getting a vaccine you can do to prevent pneumonia? Here are some things that can help:
Good hygiene — Regular and thorough hand washing with soap and water can make a big difference.
Don’t smoke — Smoking damages your lungs and puts you more at risk for pneumonia.
Practice a healthy lifestyle — Take care of yourself by eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of sleep, and exercising regularly. A healthy lifestyle helps keep your immune system strong.
Avoid sick people — If someone you know is sick, being around them puts you at risk of becoming sick as well.
Prevnar 20
A novel pneumococcal disease vaccine was given FDA approval in June 2021. Prevnar 20 (also known as PCV 20 or the Pneumococcal 20-valent Conjugate Vaccine) is a vaccine that aids in preventing infections brought on by 20 different strains of the Streptococcus pneumonia bacterium. Infections like pneumonia are included in this.
The FDA’s fast approval procedure resulted in Prevnar 20 being approved for use in adults 18 years of age and older. But more research will be done to verify the vaccine’s promised advantages.
Who Should Get Prevnar 20?
All individuals 65 years of age and older who have not yet received a pneumococcal vaccine are advised to take Prevnar 20. It is also advised in some adults aged 19 to 64 who have specific medical disorders or other risk factors but have not yet had the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
Who Shouldn’t Take Prevnar 20
Prevnar 20 shouldn’t be administered to anyone who has ever experienced a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any of the vaccine’s components. Prevnar 20 should also not be used if you have experienced a severe allergic reaction to any vaccines that contained the diphtheria toxoid.
Additionally, neither Prevnar 20 nor its effects on pregnant or nursing women have been investigated in individuals under the age of 19. Consult your doctor if you’re unclear if you should have Prevnar 20.
We’re Committed to Protecting Our Community From Pneumonia
NIMVAX is a pharmacy committed to providing our Beverly patients with high-quality, reliable care. If you are looking to get a pneumonia vaccine and live near Beverly, MA, get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment!
