Pneumonia Vaccine Side Effects Women Over 50 Experience—and How To Prevent Them
The good news: The jab is effective and helps prevent serious lung health complications
Pneumonia. Just seeing the word can make it feel harder to breathe. It’s a frightening illness, which is why it’s such good news that we have a pneumonia vaccine—but what are the side effects? We asked a leading doctor to explain the risks and benefits of the shot, along with simple ways to ward off infection and boost your immune system.
What is pneumonia?
Before we delve into the pros and cons of the vaccine, it’s helpful to first define the disease itself. “Pneumonia is an infection of the the lung itself that interferes with its capacity to breathe bad air out and take in good air,” says William Schaffner, MD, Professor of Preventive Medicine with a primary appointment in the Department of Health Policy and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
4 risk factors for pneumonia
While anyone can develop the infection, adults 50 years and older are more susceptible, says Dr. Schaffner. “As we age, not only does our immune system weaken, but we tend to accumulate health conditions that predispose us to developing pneumonia.” A few of these risk factors include:
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Obesity
Those who meet the clinical definition of severe obesity may have more difficulty inflating their lungs, which can lead to infection in the bronchial tubes that ultimately progresses to pneumonia, notes Dr. Schaffner.
Diabetes
The chronic condition impairs the immune system, making people more susceptible to infections, including pneumonia, he adds.
Lung diseases
Not surprisingly, preexisting lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) make people more prone to pneumonia. And one of the biggest risk factors of all, according to Dr. Schaffner? Smoking. (Discover simple strategies to help you quit.)
Heart problems
Any type of chronic heart disease increases the risk of pneumonia, largely because it makes it harder for the lungs to clear fluid and leaves the body more susceptible to infection.
Minor pneumonia vaccine side effects
Before we touch on side effects, it’s important to highlight the benefits of the “jab,” which protects older adults against pneumococcal infections from Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. “The vaccine is more than 80 percent effective at reducing the risk of pneumonia—that’s very good for any vaccine,” declares Dr. Schaffner.
But be (semi) forewarned: He calls this an “ouchy” vaccine, speaking from personal experience, as his arm was sore for a couple of days afterward. Dr. Schaffner’s wife, on the other hand, “didn’t blink” when she got hers, perhaps giving us women cause for confidence. Aside from that initial discomfort, a few other minor side effects of the pneumonia vaccine include:
- Pain in the arm
- Swelling or redness around the injection site
- Mild muscle aches or joint pain
And that’s about it: “Any other side effects are so rare, even conservative doctors like me don’t mention them,” he reveals.
How to minimize pneumonia vaccine side effects
If you’re worried about side effects such as soreness or swelling after your pneumonia vaccine, you can take over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen, or ice the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time until the pain or swelling abates.
Who should get the pneumonia vaccine?
The answer is simple: everyone over 50, according to Dr. Schaffner. “And if you’re under 50 with underlying risk factors, talk to your doctor,” he urges.
He recommends getting it as close to the age of 50 as possible rather than in your 60s, 70s or 80s, when the immune system doesn’t work as well. And if you’re wondering whether booster shots are recommended, rest easy: This is a one-and-done shot—no booster required, assures Dr. Schaffner.
More ways to prevent pneumonia
You already eat well, filling up on immunity-boosting fruits and vegetables. But what else can you do to help ward off pneumonia? Dr. Schaffner shares a few simple steps:
Get your flu shot
Because influenza increases the likelihood of developing pneumonia, Dr. Schaffner recommends getting your flu shot every year. “It’s not a perfect vaccine, but nevertheless a good one that prevents a lot of hospitalizations.”
Move around every day
“You don’t need to train for the Olympics,” says Dr. Schaffner with a laugh. “Just shoehorn some gentle movement into your day.” Mild exercise, after all, builds lung capacity and bolsters our immune system.
He shares an inspiring example in his own life: “I have a family member who is gait-impaired, so instead of going outside, she walks around the house using her phone to track her steps, covering half a mile to a mile every day.
“She happens to be a huge football fan, and recently we were all watching the local NFL team. During the commercials, she got up to walk around the house—and when you think about how many commercials there are in an NFL game, you can do it too!”
Seek treatment at the first sign of infection
If you do develop symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, difficulty breathing, fever or chills, contact a healthcare professional immediately, urges Dr. Schaffner, as it could be the flu, COVID-19 or pneumonia—and in the latter case, treated with antibiotics.
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