Pneumonia Shot (PPV) – What Seniors Should Know

Pneumococcal Vaccine Can Prevent Pneumonia in Older Adults

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Shot May Prevent Bacterial Pneumonia - Janice Haney Carr
Shot May Prevent Bacterial Pneumonia - Janice Haney Carr
The CDC recommends that seniors over 65 get a pneumococcal vaccine. Learn more about pneumonia and a free shot that could prove priceless if it saves a life.

The pneumococcal vaccine, also known as the pneumonia shot or Pneumovax, may boost a senior’s immunity against serious, and potentially deadly, infections caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium.

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be spread from person to person. People can get a pneumonia infection more than once. This lung infection may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi or by inhaling a chemical or liquid.

Symptoms of pneumonia primarily include:

  • Breathing difficulties
  • Cough
  • Fever

A healthcare professional may diagnose pneumonia based on symptoms, tests such as a chest x-ray, and/or testing the blood or fluid in the lungs. About 25% of pneumonia infections are caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium.

Treatment depends on what is causing the pneumonia. Success of treatment is affected by the person's immune system, whether or not the bacteria is resistant, severity of infection, and many other variables.

Ways to prevent pneumonia include:

Popular topics

  • Frequent hand washing
  • Avoiding smoking
  • Avoiding breathing in dust and mold by wearing a mask when cleaning
  • Staying active
  • Getting appropriate rest
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Getting the pneumococcal vaccine
  • Getting the flu shot (because having the flu can lead to a pneumonia infection)

Why Should Seniors Consider Getting a Pneumonia Shot?

Seniors that are 65 and older are two to three times more likely than the general population to get a pneumococcal infection, according to The Department of Health and Human Services 1996 article entitled “Pneumonia Prevention: It’s Worth a Shot.” Serious pneumococcal infections mainly occur in the:

  • Lungs (pneumonia – most common site)
  • Brain/spinal fluid (meningitis)
  • Blood (bacteremia)

Seniors, especially older adults with chronic illnesses or weakened immunity, may be more vulnerable to the potentially deadly effects of pneumonia and may also suffer serious side effects of treatment. Ten to fifty percent of adults in developed nations who have a pneumococcal pneumonia die from the infection, according to the World Health Organization’s 2003 article entitled “Pneumococcal vaccines.”

Pneumonia Shot Side Effects and General Information

The pneumonia shot is not a live vaccine, therefore it does not cause pneumonia. People who choose to get a pneumonia shot may also get a flu shot at the same time. Seniors who are experiencing an illness, particularly accompanied by a fever, may be advised to wait until they recover before receiving the pneumonia vaccine. Allergic reactions to the pneumonia shot are rare, but those who have experienced an allergic reaction to the pneumonia shot should not get a booster.

About half of people who receive a pneumococcal vaccine experience redness, soreness, and swelling in the area where the injection was given, which is usually in the upper arm. This typically goes away within a short period of time. All vaccines have a potential risk of more serious side effects, so seniors should speak with a healthcare provider regarding their individual risks and benefits regarding the pneumonia shot.

Most seniors only need one pneumococcal shot for approximately ten years of immunity to pneumococcal infections. Some sources indicate that people between the ages of 50 and 65 might experience a better immune effect from the pneumonia shot. Some people, particularly those with lowered immunity, and people who received their first shot before turning 65 and more than five years ago may need one booster pneumonia shot.

Limitations of the Pneumonia Shot include:

  • It does not protect against other types of pneumonia
  • It does not guarantee that the person will not get bacterial pneumonia, but studies show that it can prevent most cases of pneumococcal pneumonia.
  • It will not treat active pneumonia infections.
  • This is not the same as the pneumococcal-conjugate vaccine for young children

How Much Does the Pneumonia Shot Cost?

At this time, a one-time dose of pneumococcal vaccine is free to seniors with Medicare who have a physician’s order for the shot. Others may also qualify for a free pneumonia shot. Seniors with other types of health insurance may wish to check coverage limitations and requirements for the shot. The cost of the vaccine is much less than the cost associated with a serious case of pneumonia.

Pneumonia Shot for Seniors

Pneumonia can be deadly to seniors, but the pneumococcal vaccine, along with other infection prevention strategies, may help to stop this bacterial infection before it starts. Most people experience no to mild side effects from the shot, and many find it convenient to receive the pneumonia shot when they get the flu shot. Seniors who are on a tight budget may find that they can receive the pneumonia shot for free.

Readers may also wish to read:

This article is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Consult with your healthcare professional regarding whether or not the pneumonia shot is the best choice for you.

Katrena Wells, Photo by Cyndi Allison, All Rights Reserved

Katrena Wells - Katrena Wells is a RN in NC with 17 1/2 years of experience in oncology, an educator since 1995, and has taught exercise classes since ...

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52 Comments

Comments

Sep 25, 2009 2:59 PM
Cyndi Allison :
Avoiding pneumonia is a good idea. I got that, and I still do not recall much of that time period. Pneumonia is some wicked bad stuff.
Sep 25, 2009 3:08 PM
Katrena Wells :
Pneumonia is definitely a tough infection, especially for seniors.
Sep 27, 2009 11:11 AM
Guest :
In my case, I had a severe reacton to this vaccine. I am 65-female in exc. health. I had fever of 100.2 for 3 days with severe chills, fatigue and terrible muscle aches. Also had difficulty breathing. Most of these symtoms would start in the evening but linger most of the next day. I had to take 800 mg Motrin to feel even slightly better. It took about 4 full days to subside. My injection site had an area of swelling and redness the size of an eggplant. I am not allergic to latex and have no idea what caused this. I was not ill when receiving shot.
Sep 27, 2009 11:40 AM
Katrena Wells :
I'm so sorry to hear of your reaction to the pneumonia shot. I could find VERY little information regarding reactions to this shot. Many people could have reactions that are not documented. If you feel that this shot injured you, you may want to look at the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program at: http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/filing_claim.htm
I'd also make sure the reaction is documented in your personal health record and that it is documented with the drug company--it could help people in the future.
Sep 29, 2009 7:40 AM
Guest :
im 35 years old with asthma, i recived the vaccine on fri 25th sep
i was told this vaccine was fine with rare side effects WELL i was in bed the whole weekend with a high temp and very red and swollen arm
i am still not 100% yet but getting better.
Sep 29, 2009 10:52 AM
Katrena Wells :
Thanks for taking the time to send a comment regarding your experience with the pneumonia shot. You're fortunate in that you are young--older people may have had more problems if they experienced problems from the shot like you did. I hope that your physician followed up and reported the reaction, because reported reactions are what data is used when telling others about side effects. I hope you'll be back to 100% soon! I listed a web site in another comment regarding making a claim if you feel that a vaccine has injured you--feel free to copy and paste that address and check out the web site if you feel that it needs more follow-up.
Oct 1, 2009 10:24 PM
Guest :
Sept. 29, the day following my pneumonia vac. shot, I woke up nauseated, weak and confused. My arm was red and swollen, I felt clammy and had a low grade fever.. I had an episode of vision loss which my husband says lasted about 5 min. I could not account for a brief period of time but my husband said I appeared awake, just unable to see. My vision slowly returned. I saw my doc today and he outlined the reddness on my arm and I will see him again tomorrow. Has this happened to anyone else?
Oct 2, 2009 9:27 AM
Katrena Wells :
Thanks for taking the time to post your comment to my article. You did the correct thing in returning to your doctor, and I hope your doctor followed up by reporting the problems you experienced. If people report adverse effects, they will begin to show up more in the literature.

Many people who receive this shot experience no or very mild reactions, but problems that you have experienced are probably much more common than the literature provides at this time. I haven't personally cared for anyone who has had a reaction to this shot, but sharing information like this can help others to make a more informed choice.
Oct 7, 2009 5:42 PM
Guest :
I am 56 and I had the shot yesterday afternoon. By evening the injection site was swollen and very sore. By this morning I could not wear a shirt with a close-fitting sleeve. This evening I have chills, low-grade fever and the injection site is still extremely swollen (hubby said football but eggplant as described earlier is closer to factual). I agree with your comment that side-effects are more common than reported.
Oct 7, 2009 5:57 PM
Katrena Wells :
I appreciate that you took the time to share your personal experience with the shot and do read so many of the comments. I do hope that you give feedback to your doctor as well and hope you recuperate quickly.
Oct 17, 2009 4:52 PM
Guest :
I received the pneumonia vaccine on Thursday, by eveining I could notmmove my arm and it was extremely painful to touch. Friday a.m. the area was swollen,
red, very hot covering the arm, armpits, breast, right
side of the neck with unbelievable pain. Today I called a walk-in clinic to ask if I should come in, they in turn referred me back to the pharmacy that had given the injection because I had to have the lot #, name of the company etc. The pharmacist checked it out and she was amazed with the area of redness and swelling. At the walk in clinic I was given a Cortizone shot, antibiotics and have to return tomorrow if there is not improvement for yet another shot. I am 66 yr old and had the first pneumonia vaccine when I was 59. I thought it was very important to have because I had been diagnosed with sarcoidosis of the right lung. Katrena--you sound like a RN or a physician?? Thanks so much for your input.
Oct 18, 2009 4:57 AM
Katrena Wells :
I'm glad you sought follow-up treatment after experiencing the those side effects from the pneumonia shot. That is good that they got the serial and lot number because it sounds like they are following up by reporting this to the manufacturer. It is so important to get reactions like this documented because it can help the data to be more accurate.
Yes, I'm a registered nurse. Feel free to read all about my credentials by clicking on my name in blue in the article. I'm strictly a freelance writer for Suite 101 when I write and don't give medical advice, but I certainly use my expertise to try to keep my articles well-documented and hope that I can help others with my articles.
Oct 22, 2009 4:02 AM
Guest :
Thursday, Oct 22, 2009. I am a 67 year old female who got my pneumonia shot in the left arm on Tuesday as well as the flu shot in the right arm. During the day on Wednesday, my left arm felt a little sore but other than that, I was fine. That night I started running a low grade temperature and my left arm became quite sore and uncomfortable to raise higher than my shoulder. I wasn't able to sleep through the night because every time I turned to lay on that left side, the discomfort would wake me. I feel it was in my best interest to get both shots because I suffer from asthmatic bronchitis. If the shots protect me from getting pneumonia then it will be well worth this slight discomfort. My right arm is fine and I've started on Tylenol for the pain in the left arm and my slight fever.
Oct 22, 2009 7:16 PM
Katrena Wells :
It sounds like your symptoms are fairly common side effects that are posted in the literature. It sounds like you certainly have some good reasons to consider getting both the flu shot and the pneumonia shot. I hope the soreness resolves quickly for you and I'd encourage you to make sure that your healthcare provider does know of your symptoms after these shots so that they can at least be documented in your record. You (and other readers too!) are welcome to post follow-up comments to let me know how symptoms resolved.
Oct 24, 2009 8:52 AM
Guest :
On Oct. 22, 2009 I posted my experience with the pneumonia shot in my left arm and the flu shot in my right arm. With regards to the soreness and the lack of ability to raise my left arm, each symptom subsided each day after I posted. As of today, Oct. 24, I have no side effects at all from the shots I received on Oct. 20. Thanks for the advice Ketrena and I will report my information to my PCP. Pat
Oct 24, 2009 12:19 PM
Katrena Wells :
Pat,

Thanks so much for checking back in with me and that's great news to hear that your symptoms have resolved quickly!
Apr 13, 2010 9:33 AM
Guest :
my son got this shot in his allergist office when he was 2 1/2 years old. They told me it was to boost his immune sytem beacuse of his allergies( which til this day, and he is now 10years old, are unknown). He ttok the shot on a saturday morning and by afternnon his arm was extremely sollen. I took him to the childrens hospital. He was wearing a sweater and by the time they took off his sweater his arm was 4 times bigger. He was hospitalized for 3 days. I feel that this medication was not necessary it i never trust a doctor when they tell me things anymore.
Apr 13, 2010 3:48 PM
Katrena Wells :
I'm very saddened to hear of your son's terrible experience with the pneumonia shot. I also have numerous allergies, and sometimes it is a great step of faith to try any medication because there is always the potential for side effects and reactions. It is even harder when faced with making a decision for a child. It is hard to weigh the pros and cons of healthcare decisions.

Reactions such as this should always be reported because they are entered into the database associated with these drugs. Many reactions are not reported, so some data may not be accurate when looking at statistics for reactions and types of reactions.

I hope your son experienced a full recovery and that someone can help determine his allergies. My kids all have a gluten sensitivity although the ones who were tested didn't test positive for celiac disease. The kids and I experienced a huge difference in multiple symptoms (including allergy-related ones) after going on a diet that is gluten free and casein free.

Thanks for taking the time to read my article and to post your comments.
Jun 1, 2010 6:33 PM
Guest :
I got this vax 13 hours ago. I am 35 years old and my Dr felt it would be beneficial for me to get because of my MS which has been in remission for 2 years, and I am in otherwise good health. The injection site is only slightly sore, no bother at all, but my armpit of the same arm is very painful. Checking on here to look up why.
Jun 2, 2010 6:13 AM
Katrena Wells :
Thanks for reading my article, and I hope you found the information to be helpful. It is always a good idea to report any unusual symptoms you are experiencing after a vaccine. The symptoms might be normal and expected or may even seem unrelated, but it might be something that should be assessed. It is helpful to at least have this information in your medical record for future reference.

Anyone who is experiencing what they think is a reaction to the pneumonia shot or any other vaccine should seek appropriate medical attention.

I hope you are feeling much better today.
Jul 8, 2010 2:31 PM
Guest :
I received the pneumonia vaccine on a Tuesday and by Wednesday afternoon my arm was very sore. On Thursday I couldn't move, I stayed in bed the whole day and I suffered redness at the injection site and a low grade fever. My doctor said he'd never seen a reaction like this and gave me antibiotics (4 a day). The antibiotics worked, but my arm has a scar (looks like a sunburn on it). Not sure how long it will take to fade away. I probably will never get the shot again, I'm 43 years old.
Jul 8, 2010 8:08 PM
Katrena Wells :
I'm sorry to hear of your bad experience with the pneumonia shot. You were smart to seek out your doctor to assess the symptoms, get it documented, and begin appropriate therapy.

Thanks so much for reading my article and taking the time to post a comment.
Sep 11, 2010 11:27 AM
Guest :
I received this vaccine on Thurs. 9/09/2010. 3 hours later, it hit me like a ton of bricks. My arm became so painful, I couldn't move it. As the day went on,the pain was travelling into my shoulder and dow my arm into my hand. I couldn't even move my fingers. The pain was excruciating. That evening, I began to run a temp of 101. My husband got in touch with the doctor. He told him to take me to the ER. They did a workup and said my symptoms were definitely due to the vaccine. I was given a shot to ease the pain. Next day I saw my Dr. and he also gave me a shot for pain. It is now 3 days. I still have pain in thre arm, and I'm running a temp of 100.7. I feel like I will never feel good again.
Sep 14, 2010 9:14 AM
Guest :
not too much! I've had a very bad reaction to to vaccines. I'm 67 years old, and i would rather suffer through the colds, flus and the pneumonia, and bronchitis that follows. You can't help but get these viruses in a big city. So, i eat as well as i can, and get lots of rest, and keep my body moving. I get through it every year. I don't give in. My mother always got her shots, she ended up dying of Pneumonia. When i go, it'll be because it's my time!! Not because i took something to help me not get flu or pneumonia.
Sep 14, 2010 10:30 AM
Katrena Wells :
It sounds like you certainly had a bad experience with the pneumonia shot! You did the right thing to contact your doctor to get appropriate treatment and to get the problem documented. Many people may have a reaction and figure they can just deal with it. That means that the drug companies have less information regarding the real numbers of people who are experiencing negative effects.

I hope you are feeling much better now.
Sep 14, 2010 10:37 AM
Katrena Wells :
You mentioned several great ways to help boost immunity and to help prevent serious infections like pneumonia. Seniors are at increased risk from serious illness from something like pneumonia, but eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, properly treating chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease or hypertension, and getting enough rest can go a long way in helping anyone's immune system to be stronger.

People who are less healthy are more likely to experience complications that can have devastating effects. That's why I have written quite a few articles related to health issues and seniors. I'd love to have readers learn more about how to live life to the fullest and helpful tips to stay healthy and active. Feel free to click on my name at the top of the article and browse through my articles.
Sep 19, 2010 11:42 AM
Guest :
So, it sounds to my like the red and hot patch at the injection site is VERY common. I got my vaccination on Friday (got the flu vaccination at the same time) and by later that afternoon, my injection site was VERY red. It did not start hurting until Saturday evening. I think I have a little bit of a fever (going to buy a thermomiter now), but overall I feel pretty well. I did have a slight headache yesterday as well.

Since I had both the flu and the pneumonia vaccine at the same time, it is hard to say what symptoms are from what.

Rather than calling my doctor today (Sunday) I thought I would say something to the Pharmasist when I go to pick up my thermometer.
Sep 19, 2010 12:09 PM
Katrena Wells :
Actually, many more people get the pneumonia shot without any problems. I think that people may be more inclined to post comments if they have some sort of negative reaction to the shot. I get hundreds of reads on this article every month, and many do not post comments.

It is always a good idea to report any adverse effects to your healthcare provider. If you are having a serious or life-threatening reaction, it is important to seek emergency care immediately.

It sounds like you have a good plan and I hope you begin to feel better soon.
Oct 23, 2010 11:20 PM
Guest :
I'm 29 and I received both my flu shot and the pneumonia shot on Friday. (I suffer from Asthma and bronchitis, so the pneumonia vaccine was recommended) Like several others, my flu shot was given in one arm, while the pneumonia shot was given in the other. Within a day my right arm has swollen at the injection site, the area feels very warm, and I've been running a low fever between 99.8 and 100.3. The pain is also fairly intense. It's uncomfortable to lift my arm much past my shoulder and rolling onto my right side in my sleep wakens me immediately. I've also felt fatigued and slightly cranky.

One thing I have noticed is applying a warm compress to the injection site helps to loosen the muscle and lessen the pain.
Oct 25, 2010 2:30 PM
Katrena Wells :
Thanks for sharing your story and tip and I hope you are feeling much better now.
Dec 8, 2010 10:43 PM
Guest :
I received a Pneumonia shot before leaving the hospital after an overnight stay, by that evening my arm was hurting quite badly. I started running a fever of about 102 during the night. I called my doctor and was told to use a warm compress which caused the red swollen area to spread so I went to the ER and was told that it was not a normal reaction but was infected. I had a very bad staph infection a year ago and I am so afraid that I now have it in my injection site. My arm hurts so badly while lying down I can not sleep.
Dec 9, 2010 10:09 AM
Katrena Wells :
I'm sorry to hear of your terrible experience with the pneumonia shot. Any time the skin is punctured, there is the risk of an infection. You did the right thing to seek medical care when your symptoms began. That can also help others because they may need to research the lot from which your shot was produced. If someone gets an infection from an immunization, it could be due to a contaminated vial or improper technique or other reasons. I hope that you are feeling much better now.
Dec 12, 2010 4:39 PM
Guest :
I received the PPV on Thursday, I didn't notice the redness and soreness till the next day, but it didn't prevent me from working. I'm 37 and the VA asked if I wanted it. The reaction while causing slight swelling, redness and an increased temp AT the shot site were the only things I noticed. My friend had a much worse reaction to the smallpox than I've had with this one.
Dec 13, 2010 11:30 AM
Katrena Wells :
It sounds like your mild symptoms are fairly common after the pnemonia shot. The smallpox shot is a completely different immunization with different recommendations. That sounds like a good topic for a future article!
Dec 15, 2010 5:31 PM
Guest :
I just got my pneumonia shot today. I can't lift my arm, and it feels like I got "shot" in the shoulder with a handgun. I have a very large swollen lump on my shoulder. I can't tell if it's red because I can't get my shirt off, because I can't move my arm. It looks to me like 90%+ on this board suffered a significant symptom from the shot. Pardon my suspicions, but if the side effects to this immunization were more broadly known, I know I would not have received the shot. I'm 31 years old and healthy. Now if I can just move my arm .... I can only type because I'm sitting very close to my laptop (Thank God my fingers work).
Dec 18, 2010 4:03 AM
Katrena Wells :
I'm sorry to hear of your problems with the pneumonia shot. I think that people may be more likely to write comments on articles such as this if they have a problem with the immunization. People who get a shot without any problems are probably less likely to read about them online as well.

However, I do think that many side effects are under-reported. If people have problems with an immunization and do not report the problems to the place where they received the shot, this vital information cannot be entered into the system. Quite a few agencies are involved in collecting and tracking data in order to determine trends to help determine which medications are safe.

I would encourage anyone having negative symptoms, even if they appear fairly mild, to report them to their healthcare provider.
Jan 3, 2011 12:17 AM
Guest :
My fiance is 64 y/o & has COPD. (Emphysema) For the third time since May, he has been admitted to the hospital for pneumonia, even though he is up to date with the Pneumonia vaccine. Does having COPD, make him more suseptible to getting pneumonia? He was diagnosed with a bacterial infection just before this past November. His doctor said he overdid it when he went to a Wellness Ctr. gym, to tone up after having lost nearly 100lbs. He's not allowed to continue his exercise routine until the doctor says he can. Now, with this latest diagnosis of pneumonia tonight, I don't see him returning to the gym, anytime soon. I had pneumonia once in 1999 & I know that the recovery time is not a quick one. Thank you for your comments.
Jan 3, 2011 3:40 PM
Katrena Wells :
First, I think that it is great that your fiance is working toward a healthier weight because that can help people with lung problems. Yes, COPD can increase a person's risk for getting pneumonia. I certainly hope that he recuperates well, and you are correct in mentioning that it can take quite a while to fully recover. You fiance may wish to speak with his healthcare provider regarding easier exercises to begin with that won't put his health at risk once he is able to begin exercising again. For example, some chair yoga classes and exercise classes geared toward seniors, like Silver Sneakers, may be designed to accomodate people who may have special needs and may focus on breathing exercises during the class. Some of the group exercise instructors may be trained in special needs. I've written some articles about Silver Sneakers and yoga classes, so feel free to read some of those as a starting place.
Feb 15, 2011 8:46 AM
Guest :
I am a 30 yr old female and the VA gave me this shot yesterday at 1600 by 2000 I could barley move my arm and my shoulder is swollen. I do not have a fever it just hurts really bad is this normal?
Feb 15, 2011 8:53 PM
Katrena Wells :
I cannot give medical advice; however, if you ever have a vaccination and are experiencing symptoms that you are not sure are to be expected, it is a good idea to check with your healthcare provider.

It is also a good idea to ask for a copy of the vaccination information with expected side effects and symptoms that should prompt you to contact your health provider or to seek emergency care, if applicable. This can be quite helpful when you get home after receiving a vaccination - most people simply sign the forms and do not think much about them. If a person gets home and then has side effects, it can be very helpful to have something written that is specific for the vaccination. Here's a link to the CDC web site regarding the pneumococcal shot: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pneumo/vac-pneumo-pubs.htm

I hope you get to feeling better soon!
Sep 22, 2011 7:19 AM
Guest :
Good article .... I got a pneumonia shot yesterday ... and WOW! It hurt ....
usually I don't feel a thing with Flu shots or just about any other shot ... but
this one ..... No Sleep last night either ... the hurt is about gone this morning.
75 year old Guy.
Sep 22, 2011 10:07 AM
Katrena Wells :
Thanks for reading my article about the pneumonia shot, and I'm sorry to hear that you've had such pain at the site. It sounds like from your comment that it is already starting to feel better, but if you have any concerns, it is always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider or to get emergency help if you are having a severe reaction (which it doesn't sound like you are having a severe reaction but just want to make sure that anyone reading comments wouldn't misunderstand and not seek immediate help if needed).

Each vaccine may feel a bit different. The technique used by the person giving the shot may also affect how painful the injection site may feel as well as several other factors.

I hope you continue to feel much better and that the pneumonia shot was a good choice for you. I just spoke with a good friend of mine yesterday at our local library. She had a case of pneumonia and ended up in the hospital with a bill of over $11,000 just a few months ago. For many people, that huge bill would hurt worse than a sore arm!
Sep 24, 2011 7:49 PM
Guest :
My husband, my daughter and I got our flu shot and pneumonia shot yesterday at around 6pm. FLU SHOT is on my right arm while PNEUMONIA SHOT is on my left arm. The first night was ok. I don't felt that much pain. This evening around 7 pm, i felt a little pain where my pneumonia shot it the later I felt so much pain in my armpit. Right now, its hard to move my arm since it hurts so bad. I hope anybody could help me here...
Sep 25, 2011 4:08 AM
Katrena Wells :
Unfortunately, I cannot give any medical advice; however, if you are experiencing problems after receiving a pneumonia shot, you should follow up with your healthcare provider for further instructions. Anyone who feels as if he or she is experiencing life-threatening symptoms should seek immediate emergency assistance.
Sep 29, 2011 1:36 PM
Guest :
My wife had flu and pneumonia shot on Monday afternoon. By Tuesday morning her arm was very swollen. She has had a fever of over 101 for thre straight days. Her Dr. prescribed an antibiotic for her infection.
Sep 29, 2011 7:14 PM
Katrena Wells :
It sounds like you did the right thing to notify the healthcare provider regarding your wife's fever after an immunization. I hope she gets to feeling much better soon.
Dec 19, 2011 8:44 PM
Guest :
I'm 63 and just got the pneumonia shot. No redness, no swelling of my arm. Just a tiny bit sore att injection site (totally expected) and I am so glad I did this. I had to pay about $89.00 for the shot since I am under the Medicare age, but I had a bad lung infection a while back and want to never go through that again. I coughed for months before I got my doc to put me on antibiotics and took about 3-4 weeks of antibiotics, as well as a steriod for 6 days, and Symbicort for breathing, twice a day. Hopefully this vaccine will keep me from getting an infection like that ever again. We live in a great time that we have these wonder drugs and vaccines available for us, to keep us healthy well into old age!
Dec 22, 2011 4:33 AM
Katrena Wells :
I'm sorry to hear about the rough time you had last year with that lung infection and hope that the pneumonia shot is well worth that price! People who are under the age for Medicare may find reduced rates at certain places that have sliding scales, so that might be worth researching for anyone who cannot afford the shot at full price.
Mar 22, 2012 7:07 AM
Guest :
I was in the hospital for a infection behind my eye. The nurses as I'm sure it protocol had decided to offer me the pneumonia shot. I chose to take it since this was the second time this year I was hospitalized and I didn't want any more risks. Got the shot on Monday the day I was released from the hospital and later the night around the shot turned into a red baseball size lump. The next day I felt very I'll as if I had flu like symptoms and very weak. It is now Thursday and the arm I got the shot in is still painfully soar and is getting bigger every day. It's now wrapping around my arm. I went to the dr yesterday and they never seen this before. I guess I'm not alone. They prescribed me bed rest, antibiotics, Benadryl, predasone and neasua meds. I haven't eating food for three days. I'm am 33 years old with 4 kids. If I would have know this would have caused these symptoms then I would have never taken it. This seams to be a money game for some by the way the the side effects are so down played. I was sold a car I didn't want but I am paying for every day. I hope you post this comment.
Mar 25, 2012 7:31 PM
Katrena Wells :
It sounds like you've had a really tough time for the last few weeks, which can be especially tough when you have four children. Yes, many times people will be offered a pneumonia shot while in the hospital if possible because many folks have benefited from the immunization; however, I think some may have undesirable side effects and might not report them to their healthcare provider, which could lead to data that is lacking. If anyone has unexpected symptoms after receiving a vaccine, it is always a good idea to contact the healthcare provider or to seek emergency care if the symptoms are life-threatening. I certainly hope that things are improving for you!
Apr 6, 2012 10:02 PM
Guest :
30 hours after I had a pneumonia shot booster at age 65, I had increasing pain in my arm. I removed my sweater and was shocked to see a 2" wide by 4" long irregular shaped warm red blotch on my arm. No fever. But the redenss was not at the injection site, but rather, about 3" down and more forward on my arm. My doctor prsecribed Keflex by phone. When I went to her office the next morning to see the physician's assistant, she was not sure if it was an injection site reaction or cellulitis. She treated me for both, continuing the Keflex and suggesging antihistabines, cold compresses, and cortisone cream. By evening (this evening) the redness had spread further towards my inner elbow. I called the doctor again and was told to switch to Clindamycin in case it was an infection. The red blotch is now considerably larger and no one seems to know exactly what it is. The confusion seems to be complicated by the fact that the redness did not start at the injection site, but rather below it. I have considered going to the ER, but am giving it another day or two to see if it slowly fades, as the doctor said it should.
Apr 8, 2012 2:30 AM
Katrena Wells :
It does sound like you have a rather unusual case. Thanks for sharing your personal experience and I hope that your condition improves. If you happen to come back to this article later, I'm sure all of us would love to hear what finally helped. I hope you are feeling much better now.
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