Pneumonia

Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection, although it can also be caused by viruses such as coronavirus (COVID-19).

Symptoms of pneumonia include a cough, difficulty breathing, fever and chills, loss of appetite and chest pain. Pneumonia can affect people of any age, although it is more common and can be more serious in the elderly and children. People who smoke, people who drink excess alcohol, welders and metal workers, those with a weakened immune system and people with long term conditions such as asthma or heart, liver or kidney disease are also at increased risk.

Mild pneumonia is usually treated with rest, fluids and occasionally antibiotics, although some patients may need to go to hospital. Complications of pneumonia include pleurisy, sepsis (blood poisoning) and meningitis.

Vaccination is offered on the NHS to those at greatest risk, including babies, adults over 65 years old, and children and adults with long term health conditions such as diabetes, liver, kidney and heart disease, COPD, or a weakened immune system. Speak to your GP if you think you are eligible.

For most adults, a single dose is given. It is not an annual vaccine like flu jabs. The vaccines are thought to be about 50-80% effective in preventing pneumococcal disease.

AR Pharmacy offers two types of pneumonia vaccine, depending on your age and other health conditions.

Pneumovax-23 (the type the NHS offers to at risk adults) helps protect against 23 strains of bacteria that can cause pneumonia. This is a polysaccharide vaccine.

Prevenar-13 is only usually available privately for adults (but is given on the NHS to babies) and is a conjugated vaccine which gives strong protection against 13 of the most common types of bacteria to cause pneumonia.