Is the pneumococcal vaccine necessary for the elderly?

Question

Hello doctor,

My father is 67, and his doctor recently suggested pneumococcal vaccination, and we were not aware of this vaccine before. He has diabetes and mild breathing issues, so the doctor said it is important. We want to understand more about this vaccine before taking it. I have a few questions.

Is the pneumococcal vaccine really necessary for older adults with health problems?
How many doses are required, and how long does the protection last?
Furthermore, does it completely prevent pneumonia or only reduce the severity of the infection?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query.

Yes, the pneumococcal vaccine is really important for your father, especially given his age and the fact that he has diabetes and respiratory issues, all of which can make infections like pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections a lot more serious.

So, to answer simply, yes, he should get it. Doctors generally recommend two types: PCV13 (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) and PPSV23, which together give broader protection.

The usual approach is to take PCV13 first and then PPSV23 about a year later, though if he has already had one of them, the doctor will advise on the next step accordingly.

The protection generally holds up well for several years, so it is not something he would need very frequently. One thing worth knowing is that this vaccine specifically protects against pneumonia caused by a particular bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Pneumonia can sometimes be caused by other bugs too, so it will not prevent every type, but it significantly lowers the chances of severe illness and hospitalization.

And timing-wise, getting it done sooner rather than later is a good idea. I would suggest getting it done, ideally before flu season, since having both infections together can be quite tough on the body.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.