Pneumonia Shots ... Do those shots really keep people from getting Pneumonia?

First of all, I am so sorry to hear about your Father. I hope that by now you are beginning to find some peace and comfort. The pneumonia shot does not give a person pneumonia. It is a killed vaccine that is not capable of causing the disease, although it can cause mild side effects just as the flu shot can. The pneumonia shot protects against the 23 most common types of bacterial pneumonia in the community, but by no means protects against all pneumonia. It is still possible to get a life-threatening pneumonia caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus that is not in the vaccine. Unfortunately, this is most likely an unfortunate coincidence. As a primary healthcare provider, I recommend pneumonia shots to anyone with chronic diseases such as lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, or diabetes, and also to anyone over 65 years of age. I have had 2 pneumonia shots already with no problems. They are recommended to be given every 10 years to those in the above "high risk groups" except for the case of HIV/AIDS where they are re-vaccinated every 5 years. Again, I'm sorry about your Dad. I'll say a prayer for both of you tonight. Peace.

My husband and toddler got them this year. Nevertheless, they got sick wit bronchitis. When we asked this to our babies' pediatrician, he said that the shot does not protect from all types of flu, including those that may lead to pneumonia.

There is some truth in what you said. However, dad may have had the germ before he had the shot. Then it would not have worked. I am sorry for your loss of him, as that is very painful. My husband takes it every 5 years, and he has been fine.

My mother has this shot every year. She still gets colds and other illnesses. But has not gotten pneumonia. Sorry to hear of your loss. Huggers.

as i read from an article before, pneumonia shot only gives our body greater resistance against pneumonia...it can prevent pneumonia but it doesn't totally remove the possibility that we can get pneumonia...one factor that may still cause us to acquire pneumonia despite the fact that we had a pneumonia shot is the level of immunity of our body...that is, whether our body still accepts the help of preventives such as the pneumonia shot...

I have had the shot once, because it was recomended by my dr. I had a bad reaction to it. couldn't use the arm they put it in for almost a month. it didn't stop me from getting pneumonia that year either. What made it twice as bad with Dad is he had 2 within a few days, not just one. Hugs...

I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I don't know much about pneumonia shots. I used to swear by the flu shot when I worked in Human Resources, particularly in the medical industry. I found that many of the people I dealt with had built up great resistance to germs and didn't get sick themselves but still passed them along to others. This is the first year I didn't get a flu shot and I did get sick more, but I also had my son in a new school this year and he and I both got sick more often, I think because of the new people we were around. My husband thinks that the shots are worthless. I'm not sure. Again, I am so sorry about your dad. I wish you peace and comfort.

when pneimonia is caused by bacteria,in infected child really becomes sick and ive been thru it mysely.well its just a lung infection

First I am sorry for your loss. And I do understand your bitterness, - when we lose someone close we are sad, and one of the recognised stages of mourning is anger - so your anger is totally understandable. Having said that - my own Father is 80 years old - he had the pneumonia vaccination last November, and (touch wood) he is fine! I also have the flu vaccination every year and, again, have never suffeed any ill effetcs. Doctors are not infallible - if they do something 100 times and get it right 99 times and wrong only once, they are only going to be remembered for the mistake. I would not want the responsibility of their job - but I do undestand what you are sayng.