Q. What is pneumonia?
A. Pneumonia is a serious infectious disease that infects the air sacs of your lungs. This can cause the sacs to fill with fluid or pus. In more serious cases, it can result in hospitalization and death. Pneumonia is commonly caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These bacteria can also cause ear infections, sinus infections, and meningitis.
Q. Who should get the pneumococcal vaccine?
A. Older adults 65 and over should get the pneumococcal vaccine.
Q. Why should I get the pneumococcal vaccine?
A. Getting vaccinated can prevent you from getting pneumonia. If you do get pneumonia and you are vaccinated, you are less likely to get very sick. The pneumococcal vaccine is an important preventive tool for everyone, especially older adults and people with certain chronic health conditions.
Q. Which pneumococcal vaccine should I get?
A. There are two kinds of pneumococcal vaccines: Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCV21, PCV20, and PCV15) and the Polysaccharide Pneumococcal Vaccine (PPSV23). Your healthcare provider will help determine which kind is best for you. The following chart lists recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for all adults 65 years or older.
Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations for Older Adults 65 years or older
| Category | Recommendation |
| Adults 65+ who have not previously received any pneumococcal vaccine or their pneumococcal vaccination history is unknown |
One dose of PCV21, PCV20, or PCV15
|
| Adults 65+ who have received only PPSV23 at any age |
|
| Adults 65+ who have previously received only PCV13 |
|
| Adults 65+ who have previously received both PCV13 and PPSV23 | Shared clinical decision-making between patient and provider on whether to administer 1 dose PCV20 or PCV21, or to not get additional pneumococcal vaccines. |
*If you have an immunocompromising condition, cochlear implant, or cerebrospinal fluid leak, the PCV15 and PPSV23 doses can be given a minimum of 8 weeks apart.
Q. Are the pneumococcal vaccines safe?
A. Yes. Clinical data prove the 2 kinds of pneumococcal vaccines are safe. However, they cannot be given at the same time. Your healthcare provider will help you figure out which vaccines are right for you to receive.
Q. Can I get pneumonia from the pneumococcal vaccine?
A. No, the pneumococcal vaccine cannot cause pneumonia. It does not contain the live bacteria. This means that a pneumococcal vaccine cannot make you sick with pneumonia.
Q. Do pneumococcal vaccines cause any side effects?
A. Pneumococcal vaccine reactions may include pain in the arm where the shot was given, muscle aches, fatigue, joint aches, and headaches. Most people who get a pneumococcal vaccine do not have any serious problems with it. The side effects are generally mild. This means the side effects will not impact daily activities. They usually go away within 2 days.
Q. Should I still get the pneumococcal vaccine even if I have not had pneumonia before?
A. Yes. If you’ve never had pneumonia, you are still at risk of getting it in the future. Getting vaccinated can also protect the people around you.
Q. Where can I get the pneumococcal vaccine?
A. Ask your primary care clinician if they can give you the pneumococcal vaccine. Your primary care clinician is a doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or certified nurse specialist who you visit when you are sick or for your overall health care. Many pharmacies can give you it as well.
Q. Can I get the pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as my COVID vaccine or booster?
A. Yes. You can get a pneumococcal vaccine at the same time you get a COVID-19 vaccine, including a COVID-19 booster shot. Our immune systems can respond to several different vaccines at the same time, but you should always check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist first.
Last Reviewed and Updated: September 2026
By: AGS/HiAF Public Education Committee, HealthinAging.org Content Reviewers