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Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccination Can Save Your Life

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Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt a person's life for weeks. When severe, it can result in hospitalization and even be life threatening. Each year, pneumococcal pneumonia results in an estimated 150,000 hospitalizations in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But it doesn't have to be this way.

The American Lung Association and Pfizer are partnering to raise awareness about pneumococcal pneumonia and encourage adults to get vaccinated if they are eligible. During World Immunization Week — April 24 to 30 — they are highlighting the collective action needed to reduce the burden of pneumococcal pneumonia.

Here are some fast facts about the disease, along with tips and actions you can take to help stay healthy:

What are the symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia? Common symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include high fever, excessive sweating, shaking chills, coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Some symptoms can appear quickly and without warning.

Should I receive a pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination? Pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines are available to help prevent the disease and are recommended if you are at increased risk. The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults aged 65 years or older and adults aged 19 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors, including: chronic lung disease like asthma or COPD, chronic heart disease, diabetes, and smoking cigarettes.

What if I am healthy? Even healthy adults 65 years or older are at increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia. Because the body's immune system naturally weakens with age, it can be more difficult for your body to defend against pneumococcal disease. In fact, adults 65 years old and older are over 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with pneumococcal pneumonia than adults aged 18-49.

What if I've had pneumonia before? You can get pneumococcal pneumonia more than once and having pneumococcal disease does not protect you from future infection.

What if I've already been vaccinated? Even if you've been vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia in the past, it's important to speak to your healthcare provider, as they may recommend an additional vaccination.

How can I help protect myself and my community? Getting the word out about the importance of vaccination against preventable illness can help keep people healthier. Recent data from the National Health Interview Survey estimates that only 22.2% of adults 19-64 at increased risk of pneumococcal disease ever received a vaccination, and only 65.8% of adults 65 years or older received at least one dose. Unfortunately, rates of vaccination are lower among Black, Hispanic/Latino and Asian adults compared with their white counterparts, putting members of these communities at risk of infection.

To learn more about pneumococcal pneumonia and your risk for it, visit Lung.Org/pneumococcal.

"It's always the right time to discuss pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination with a healthcare provider. While cold and flu season is behind us, this disease can strike anytime, in any season and you can be vaccinated any time of year, too," says Dr. Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association.

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Active immunization for the prevention of pneumococcal disease caused by S. Pneumoniae serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19F, 19A, 20, 22F, 23F, and 33F in adults aged ≥50 years and children aged ≥2 years who are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.

Your Guide To Preventative Health Screenings You Should Get In Your 60s

Preventative care and screenings are important steps you can take for your health at any age. When you reach your 60s, health experts have some additional recommendations to help reduce your risk of illness and detect diseases early for the best odds of successful treatment.

CBS News HealthWatch has compiled a series of guides to help you know which preventative screenings should be on your list as you move through the years from your 20s to your 60s.

"It's never too late," says Dr. Céline Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health. "If you're still a smoker, quit smoking. If you don't exercise at all, even just walking a little bit every day, taking the stairs instead of the elevator — very small things can really make a big difference for your health."

So what should people age 60+ have on their preventative checklist? Here is a look at the guidelines experts recommend for people at average risk:

Vaccines for your 60s

There are several additional vaccines worth considering for people in their 60s, including:

Pneumococcal vaccine — At age 65 or older, a pneumococcal disease vaccine can help prevent illness from pneumonia, meningitis and blood infections, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

RSV vaccine — The FDA approved a new vaccine in 2023 to protect older adults from respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, which can cause severe illness. "Adults aged 60 years or older should talk to their healthcare provider about getting a single dose of RSV vaccine," the CDC advises.

You should also make sure you're up-to-date on vaccines to protect yourself from three illness which pose more serious health threats to people in older age groups:

Dr. Robert M. Biernbaum, chief medical officer for WellNow Urgent Care, says the flu vaccine isn't something people think about as a preventative measure, but is a top recommendation. "Flu vaccine is recommended from the ages of 6 months to 80-plus years," he says.

New screenings to consider in your 60s

Osteoporosis — Women are at higher risk for osteoporosis than men, so the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommends women 65 and older schedule a bone density test, a painless X-ray-like scan to see if you're at higher risk for fractures. "If you're a man over age 65 and you're concerned about your bone strength, talk with your doctor or nurse," the office adds.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm — In men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, or USPSTF, an independent panel of national experts, recommends a one-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with ultrasonography. Women can discuss with their doctor if they need to be screened due to family history.

Screenings and tests to continue into your 60s

In addition to new recommendations for this age, it's also important to keep up with recurring tests and screenings you began in your 40s and 50s, including:

Dermatological exams to check for skin cancer

Comprehensive eye and vision exams

Cholesterol, blood pressure and other heart health checks

Diabetes screening

Mental health check-ins

Screenings for intimate partner violence, unhealthy alcohol and drug use as well as tobacco use, as recommended by the USPSTF

Oral exams and dental cleanings

Colorectal cancer screenings

Lung cancer screenings for some with a history of smoking

HIV and other STI tests, depending on risk level, including screening for hepatitis B and C and whether someone is at risk for HIV and should be on HIV-prevention drug, PrEP.

Cervical cancer screenings and pelvic exams for women

Mammograms for women

Testicular exams and prostate cancer screenings for men

This guide is based on guidelines from health organizations and experts for people at average risk. Age and frequency of screenings may differ for individuals based on family history and personal risk factors. This does not take the place of your personal doctor's recommendations for your health.